The study programme was confirmed and accepted by the FERI Senate on 8. 9. 2008, by the UM Senate on 21. 10. 2008, and by the Expert Council for High School Education of the Republic of Slovenia on 12. 3. 2009.

Conditions for advancement to the second study year: A student advances to the second study year if he/she collects at least 48 ECTS credits by completing the obligations of the first study year, and he/she must pass the exam in the subject Scientific Methods. Conditions for advancement to the third study year: A student advances to the third study year by completing all the obligations of the first study year, and if he/she collects at least 48 ECTS credits by completing the obligations of the second study year. The conditions for promotion under extraordinary conditions and the conditions for repetition are defined by the Statute of the University of Maribor.

The 3rd cycle programme of Computer Science and Informatics does not have the foreseen conditions for the completion of individual parts of the program.

The program also enables and encourages students to do postdoctoral studies, as they receive during their studies in-depth knowledge in the field of their scientific research work.

Graduates of the doctoral study programme Computer Science and Informatics have a wide range of employment opportunities in various fields of the economy and the public sector, which are in any way related to computer science or informatics, on the basis of acquired knowledge and competencies. In addition to their basic qualifications for research jobs in the field of computer science and informatics, they have sufficient knowledge and competencies to be employed in various institutes, institutions, and higher education organisations, as well as in management positions in medium and large companies and societies.

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/.

There are no other obligations.

The method of examination and assessment of knowledge at the University of Maribor is regulated by the Rules on Examination and Assessment of Knowledge at the University of Maribor, No. A4/2009-41 AG, which is published with amendments and additions on the following web address: 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. The rules and curricula of the subjects list the forms of examination and assessment of students for each study unit. At the third degree, the nature of the subjects is such that we direct students to scientific and research work. The emphasis is on individual research work with a mentor, preparation of seminars and individual research papers, writing scientific and professional articles, participation on international conferences, and participation in various projects. Given that most subjects are taught mentoring, the mentor and the student can assess progress directly at all times.

Main objectives of the Computer Science and Informatics study programme can be summarised in the following items: 1. The study programme retains all the characteristics of the postgraduate study programme Computer Science and Informatics, which was adopted before 11 June 2004, but updates the content and didactic concepts so that study and research work can be conducted equally for doctoral students coming to study with a strong focus on computer science and informatics, and for doctoral students whose prior knowledge is more focused on other fields of engineering, science and mathematics, and even on non-technical fields. 2. The aim of the syllabus in the third-degree study programme Computer Science and Informatics is to offer doctoral students a wide enough choice for in-depth scientific and development research and training. In addition to electives, which is a cornerstone of the Bologna studies, the study programme also emphasises the self-initiative and individuality of students. These elements are achieved through two open study concepts, which complement the subject choice and enable the acquisition of credit points through seminar work and individual research work. 3. The study programme is in line with the guidelines of scientific and development research in the European Union and elsewhere in the world. It provides for a smooth transition and successive studies at several universities. The Doctors of Science who have or will complete their studies are qualified for research work at universities and research institutes, as well as in the development departments of advanced industrial companies. We want to consolidate them in the belief that the progress of the economy is not possible if we do not create new knowledge that is scientifically and research-based, and if industrial companies are not able to transfer it into their business processes, services, and products with high added value. 4. As is usual for doctoral programmes, the third-degree doctoral study programme Computer Science and Informatics builds on engaged and creative individuals, both mentors and doctoral students. We are convinced that seminars and individual research work, in addition to elective courses, further promote quality research and exchange of views in competent groups.

General skills gained through the programme: The PhD study programme in Computer Science and Informatics would enable students, besides already gained knowledge, to encompass all the elements of scientific and research development. They would gain experience in scientific communication and research collaboration amongst groups. The more important general skills gained through the programme would be: • Ability to think analytically and investigate complex problems and situations, • Ability to understand complex, basic, technical, technological, economic-industrial and social situations and models, • Ability to design and professionally express a point of view defended by arguments from the aspects of the studied field and science, • Research criticism, responsibility, self-initiative and self-dependence during the carrying-out of scientific goals or developing research tasks, • Knowledge of scientific methodology, methods, and techniques, as well as developing and technological requirements that appear in economy, • Good knowledge of patent engineering and up-to-date technical and technological improvements, their relationships to scientific research and the significance of social growth.

Individual sets of subjects in the subject study programme develop the following competencies: • Extensive knowledge of computer and information technologies, suitable for research in several specific areas, such as intelligent systems, multimodal human-machine interfaces, ubiquitous computing, software engineering, information technologies and services, etc.; • Good knowledge of the mathematical and technical apparatus for understanding the operation, analyses, and synthesis of computer and information models; • Excellent mastery of the methodology and techniques of scientific and development research and scientific communication; • The ability to research, develop and synthesise new methods, procedures or devices based on analysis and simulations of complex problems and situations, as well as experiments to validate good hypotheses and solutions. Education will take place in the following areas: - Advanced computer algorithms; - Artificial intelligence, intelligent systems, knowledge management, and online services; - Computer graphics and geometry; - Human-machine interaction, multimedia; - Methodologies for the development and integration of information systems, re-use, and software platforms for their development; - Computer processing of languages or programming languages, domain-specific languages, grammars, and tools; - Studying and ensuring the protection and security of software solutions, data and systems, and their reliability and quality; - Advanced signal and image processing procedures and computer vision; - Heterogeneous and ubiquitous computer systems and the integration of solutions of various origins, generations, and implementation environments; - Pattern recognition, data mining, machine learning, and self-learning systems.

To enroll into the 3rd cycle programme of Computer Science and Informatics the applicant must have completed one of the following successfully: a) A Master’s (2nd-cycle) programme; b) University study programme, accepted before June 11, 2004; c) Bachelor’s vocational programme adopted prior to 11 June, 2004 and a specialisation programme. Prior to enrolment, these candidates must fulfil obligations corresponding to a maximum of 35 ECTS under the Master’s (2nd-cycle) programme in the field of Computer Science or Informatics. The Faculty’s Academic Affairs Committee determines which study obligations must be fulfilled by taking into account the candidate’s field of expertise (type of programme completed); d) A programme educating students for professions regulated by EU Directives or another Master’ (2nd-cycle) programme corresponding to 300 ECTS credits. A completed undergraduate programme or a Master’s (2nd-cycle Bologna) programme in the field of Computer Science and Informatics is considered adequate prior knowledge.

If there is greater demand than there are places available, candidates shall be ranked according to: • Overall score (20%); • Grade in the elective exam in the field of Computer Science and Informatics(80%). With regard to the elective exam, candidates may replace up to 50% of the grade with the grade awarded for scientific research and professional work. Evaluation criteria: • Original or transparent scientific articles in journals with impact factor (JCR) or in journals indexed in SCI, SSCI or A & HCI databases, • Contributions in international conference proceedings, • other publications.

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 transfer criteria, candidates who completed the following may be admitted to the second year of Doctoral (3rd-cycle) Programme Computer Science and Informatics: • A Master’s programme (MSc) (adopted prior to 11 June, 2004) – these candidates are awarded 60 ECTS credits; • An undergraduate programme (adopted prior to 11 June, 2004) and a specialisation programme – these candidates are awarded 60 ECTS credits. Transitions are possible between study programs: • which, at the end of studies, ensure the acquisition of comparable competence or learning outcomes; • of which at least half of the obligations under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) from the first study program that refer to the compulsory subjects of the second study program can be recognized according to the criteria for recognition of skills acquired before enrolling in the program. For each candidate, the Commission for Science and Research of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science of the University of Maribor will determine subjects that are recognized in the ECTS credits mentioned above.

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 rules can be found via the following web link: https://feri.um.si/site/assets/files/1278/pravilnik_o_priznavanju_znanj_in_spretnosti_v_sp_um.pdf. 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 Scientific Research UM FERI.

A student who completes all the obligations prescribed by the study programme and thus collects at least 180 ECTS credits completes their studies.