Text about acceptance
The programme was approved by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Senate on October 5, 2006, University of Maribor Senat on October 17, 2006, and by the Council for Higher Education on December 8, 2006.
On 26 October 2012, the Senate of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science accepted the application for re-accreditation of the study programme, and the Senate of the University of Maribor accepted it on 18 December 2012. On 20 March 2014, the Council of the National Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Quality Assurance in Higher Education adopted a decision extending the accreditation of the study programme.
Advancement criteria of a study programme
Conditions for advancement to the second study year:
A student advances to the second study year if they collect at least 54 ECTS credits out by passing the first study year exams.
Conditions for advancement to the third study year:
A student advances to the third study year if they have passed all first study year exams and if they collect at least 54 ECTS credits by passing the second study year exams.
The conditions for promotion under extraordinary conditions and the conditions for repetition are defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor
https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Statut-Univerze-v-Mariboru-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB-13.pdf
Criteria for completing separate parts of a study programme
The first-degree university study programme Informatics and Data Technologies does not contain individual parts.
Study advancement options
A graduate of the study programme for obtaining a first-degree university education may continue with master’s studies in the second-degree study programmes in accordance with the conditions determined by the higher education institution announcing the postgraduate study programme.
Employment possibilities
Diplomirani inženir informatike in podatkovnih tehnologij (UN) can perform important tasks in the fields of analysis, modelling, and information system development; they are capable of managing such projects and IT in the development and research institutions, in the economy, education, public administration and in various service sectors.
Additional information
Information on study programmes offered by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are available on the following website https://feri.um.si/en/study/programmes/.
Other obligations
There are no other obligations.
Assesment criteria
Examination and assessment of student learning outcomes is performed in accordance with the criteria and methods defined in the Rules on the Examination and Assessment of Knowledge at the University of Maribor https://www.um.si/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Pravilnik-o-preverjanju-in-ocenjevanju-znanja-na-Univerzi-v-Mariboru-stev.-A4-2009-41-AG-uradno-precisceno-besedilo-UPB1.pdf
In the case of an individual study unit, the type and manner of taking the examination and the conditions for taking the examination are determined by the curriculum, which is an integral part of the study programme. The curriculum determines the share of each method of examining and assessing the knowledge, which contributes to the final assessment. For all subjects in all study programmes of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, knowledge assessment is regulated by a single Assessment Scale, which is available at the following website: https://feri.um.si/studij/vprasanja-in-odgovori/.
Methods of continuous examination and assessment of knowledge are encouraged, thus enabling students to continuously monitor their own progress in their studies.
Main study programme objectives
The aim of the 1st level Study Programme in Informatics and Data Technologies is for the graduate to acquire basic knowledge of the closely related fields of Informatics, Information Systems, Data Technologies and ICT management. We want to pass on advanced expertise from a wide range of previously mentioned fields to future graduates, so that they are in line with the guidelines for the development of information society technologies, current market needs and a vision of future labour market needs. Graduates of the Programme will be able to perform work and use the acquired knowledge in a variety of domains, which are related primarily or indirectly to the field of study. The Study Programme is distinctly oriented towards practical use in its content area, and enables competent and competitive integration of the graduate into the information society in various professional roles. During this university Study Programme, the student acquires professional knowledge by studying theoretical and methodological concepts, the ability to transfer and apply theoretical knowledge in practice and solve professional and work problems, especially by finding new sources of knowledge and using scientific methods. By compiling the curriculum of the Study
Programme carefully, taking into account compulsory, as well as optional and specific courses, such as practicums and fields of study in the last semester, the goal is to provide students with high professional qualifications in the field of Informatics and Data Technologies, as well as similar fields, such as Information Security, Intelligent Systems and Software Engineering, and to develop the ability to communicate in their field, and, in collaboration with other experts, being critical and responsible, taking the initiative, and being independent in managing the most demanding work. Participation in research work is also an integral part of the Programme.
General competences of graduates, gained at a study programme
With each individual study unit, students acquire general, as well as specific, curriculum-defined competencies that together contribute to the objectives of the study programme. The graduates of the study programme thus acquire the following general competencies:
• Detailed knowledge of the study and professional fields;
• Advanced computer skills, ability to use, manage and design complex computer and information and communication systems;
• The ability to apply the acquired knowledge through a wide range of roles in which they may find themselves in the future;
• The ability of analytical and systematic thinking, which enables them to solve specific challenges and problems in the field of the study programme;
• Solving problems in the academic and industrial environments;
• Effective group work;
• Organising and implementing scientific or industrial research projects;
• Writing assignments and reports in accordance with the professional standards;
• Preparing and conducting seminars in accordance with the professional standards;
• Organising time independently and efficiently;
• The ability to integrate and participate in interdisciplinary groups in various roles in order to develop complex ICT solutions and systems in various problem areas;
• The ability to search for additional knowledge in the field of the study programme, taking into account scientific methods and critical thinking;
• The ability to assess situations, services and products related to the field of the study programme, as well as to be critical and self-critical;
• The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve technical problems;
• The ability to decide on the manner and nature of work, work procedure, working hours, applications, etc.;
• Mutual skills;
• Oral and written expression and communication in engineering circles and society in general;
• Research skills;
• Solving professional and work problems by finding sources of knowledge and using scientific methods;
• Independence in research work, which enables the identification of research and development topics and their meaningful placement in practice; and
• The ability to find new sources of knowledge and use methods of communication within and between disciplines in order to achieve effective solutions.
Subject specific competences of graduates, gained on a study programme
With each individual study unit, students acquire general, as well as specific competencies defined by the curriculum, which, together, contribute to the goals of the Study Programme. Graduates of the 1st level university Study Programme in Informatics and Data Technologies acquire the following subject-specific competencies:
• Knowledge of life cycles, all phases and processes of planning, development, implementation, management and renovation of information solutions and communication systems from strategic planning, business process modelling and definition of requirements to the development of operating systems, including their verification and maintenance,
• Adapting process model frameworks, and following the instructions and good practices of the selected process model, and preparing the necessary documentation according to the type of project and problem area, providing suitable products for quality implementation of individual process model activities and determining the most appropriate role in the project team,
• Managing complexities in the development, maintenance and management of Information Systems and Solutions,
• Knowledge and understanding of the basics of Informatics, Information Systems and data technologies,
• Designing and developing algorithms and data structures, and their implementation in modern programming languages and environments,
• Knowledge and understanding of basic and advanced methodological approaches to building information solutions and the ability to use them in practice,
• Application of a system approach to business and other information-supported processes,
• Knowledge of IT/IS architectures, including architectures of systems designed for Big data management,
• Knowledge and understanding of the full range of data technologies and their use in the development of modern information solutions and services,
• Knowledge and understanding of communication principles and methods of communication, with emphasis on work in agile project groups,
• The ability to engage in project, group and research and development work in the field of Informatics and Data Technologies,
• Planning of project, group and laboratory work,
• Creating communication rules in an integrated environment, and defining and implementing the necessary ICT support for working in an integrated environment,
• Developing Information Systems and Solutions using modern paradigms (object, component, service),
• Using software platforms, libraries and integrated development environments,
• Evaluating the usability and suitability of support tools for various activities of the selected process model,
• Developing web applications and dynamic websites,
• Using markup languages with an emphasis on XML and related technologies,
• Using concepts and approaches to increase the level of reuse in the development of information solutions and systems,
• Knowledge and understanding of conceptual, logical and physical data modelling,
• Requirements analysis, planning and implementation of databases,
• Using and integrating database management systems and implementing database queries,
• Project management from the preparation of the project plan, the formation of a suitable project team, monitoring the implementation of the project to the metric evaluation of performance,
• Using empirical research methods and evaluating research results,
• Knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of mathematical analysis,
• Identifying and solving problems related to mathematical analysis and their application in other fields,
• Using mathematical reasoning and understanding the principles of proof,
• Knowledge and understanding of different types of algebraic structures,
• Using the knowledge of linear algebra in solving certain geometric problems,
• Using the basic probability theory,
• Knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of discrete mathematics,
• Identifying and solving problems using combinatorial tools,
• Using the procedure for solving Differential Equations and solving the main types of Differential Equations,
• Planning and designing basic algorithms on relations and graphs and analysis of their temporal and spatial complexity,
• Knowledge of a foreign language with an emphasis on terminology in the fields of Informatics, Information Systems and Data Technologies,
• Understanding the basics of development and programming, with an emphasis on the development of the level of business logic and presentation level, which includes web and Graphical User Interfaces, and understanding of development procedures and their application to media content,
• Knowledge of databases and their use, as well as the conceptual, logical and physical design of databases, database management systems and query languages,
• Knowledge of the technologies and procedures for modern development of web systems, with an emphasis on dynamic and multimedia content,
• Planning and implementing the integration of systems at the level of data, application interfaces, processes and user interfaces,
• Planning and implementing the integration processes based on understanding the convergence of ICT systems and their implications,
• Ensuring the security and protection of Information Solutions,
• Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of Machine Learning methods and techniques,
• Analysing, planning and implementing the process of finding knowledge from data and the use appropriate technologies and tools,
• Selecting and using an appropriate method of Machine Learning, and searching for and preparing data for solving a specific task,
• Planning, implementing and managing the project of development and implementation of a solution using Machine Learning,
• Analysing and evaluating individual solutions of Machine Learning and knowledge technologies
• Designing dimensional data models and developing data warehouses,
• Optimising physical database models,
• Ensuring the quality of data,
• Designing relational databases (RPBs) throughout all life cycles,
• Using advanced SQL commands,
• Identifying problems in the planning, construction and management of RPB,
• Assessing the possibility of optimising the operation of RPB,
• Applying RPB optimisation techniques,
• Understanding the differences between RPB and individual NoSQL databases, and deciding on the most appropriate one at a given time,
• Estimating when to use an individual NoSQL database,
• Using NoSQL databases,
• Understanding the operation of distributed shared storage technologies (e.g. block chaining technologies),
• Designing solutions that include distributed shared storage technologies (e.g. blockchain technologies),
• Using distributed shared storage technology platforms (e.g. blockchain technologies),
• Understanding and explaining the differences between batch data processing and data streaming processing,
• Understanding the life cycle of the development of software solutions based on Big data,
• Understanding the key challenges and requirements of developing Big data-driven solutions,
• Planning an effective Big data architecture,
• Designing and establishing an appropriate development environment and technological infrastructure for the effective development of Big data-based solutions,
• Understanding software architectures, patterns and procedures related to the development of Big data solutions,
• Understanding the security aspect of Big data architectures
• Using frameworks and tools to establish, manage and use Big data architectures.
Access requirements
In the university study programme Informatics and Data Technologies can enrol those who:
a) have passed the Matura examination,
b) have passed a Vocational Matura examination from any kind of high school programme and an examination in one of the Matura examination subjects; the selected subject cannot be a subject the student has already passed at the Vocational Matura examination,
c) have completed any kind of high school programme of four years duration before 1st June 1995.
Selection criteria in the event of limited enrolment
If a decision is taken to restrict enrolment, the candidates referred to in Point a) will be selected according to the following criteria:
• Overall success at the Matura Exam (60% of points);
• Overall success in the third and fourth year of the Secondary school (40% of points);
The candidates referred to in Point (b) shall be selected according to the following criteria:
• Overall success at the Vocational Matura Exam (40 % of points);
• Overall success in the third and fourth year of the Secondary school (40% points);
• Success in the graduation subject (20% of points);
The candidates referred to in Point (c) shall be selected according to the following criteria:
• Overall success at the final exam (60% of points);
• Overall success in the third and fourth year of the Secondary school (40% of points).
Transfer criteria between study programmes
Transitions between the study programmes are possible in accordance with the Higher Education Act, the Criteria for transitions between study programmes, and other regulations.
In accordance with the Criteria for transitions between study programmes, the candidates enrol:
• In the second or higher year of the first-degree university study programme Informatics and Data Technologies, when it comes to the termination of education according to the first study programme and continuation of studies according to another study programme of the same degree, or enrolment of a higher education graduate in a new study programme of the same degree. Candidates from the fields of information and communication technologies, technical and natural sciences and mathematics can transfer to the first-degree study programme Informatics and Data Technologies.
• The enrolment of a higher education graduate in the first-degree university study programme Informatics and Data Technologies is not possible.
The transition is possible if the candidate meets the following conditions:
• They meet the conditions for enrolment in the first year of the first-degree university study programme Informatics and Data Technologies;
• They transfer from the study programme, which at the end of the study ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies or learning outcomes;
• Upon transition, at least half of the obligations under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (hereinafter referred to at: the ECTS) from the first study programme, which relate to the compulsory subjects of the second study programme were recognised or it was recognised in the process of recognition that so many obligations are met that the conditions for continuing their studies in the new study programme are fulfilled.
The competent commission of the Senate of the faculty at which the candidate intends to continue their studies decides on the transition from one study programme to another. In accordance with the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, the candidate must submit to the Faculty the following:
• An application for the recognition of knowledge and skills at the University of Maribor:
• A certificate of completed study obligations (exams) with the obtained grades and number of credit points;
• A validated curricula according to which knowledge has been acquired;
• A proof of payment of the procedure.
When transferring from one study programme to another, completed study obligations may be recognised for the candidate, taking into account the content, scope and complexity of knowledge of the new programme, and may be assigned new obligations to complete the new study programme.
Criteria for recognition of knowledge and skills, gained before the enrolment in the study programme
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science recognises the acquired knowledge, qualifications or abilities on the basis of the Rules on the Recognition of Knowledge and Skills in the Study Programmes of the University of Maribor, which regulates the procedures for identifying, verifying and recognising knowledge and the criteria for recognising knowledge acquired through formal and non-formal learning before enrolment and during the studies at the University of Maribor.
The faculty recognises the knowledge and skills of the candidates, gained before enrolment, if, in terms of scope, their content and complexity fully or partially correspond to the general or subject-specific competencies determined by the study programme in which the candidates wish to enrol or are enrolled.
The basis for the recognition of knowledge and skills are the certificates or other documents:
- publicly valid documents (certificates, diplomas),
- certificates of completed work of the study programme or completed obligations in the study programme,
- certificates of education and training providers on successful completion of education/training, certificates and other documents,
- products, services, projects, publications and other author's works of candidates,
- evidence of registered patents,
- relevant references on practical training and work experience,
- knowledge acquired through self-education and informal learning and other evidence/knowledge assessed by the Commission for Academic Affairs UM FERI.
The process of identifying, verifying and recognizing knowledge and skills begins on the basis of the candidate's application, which he submits on a special form, which is an integral part of the aforementioned rulebook.
Criteria for completing the study
A student who completes all the obligations prescribed by the study programme and thus collects at least 180 ECTS credits completes their studies.