Structure and contents

In this master programme a wide variety of techniques will be taught, including intelligent robotics, artificial deep neural networks, machine learning, meta-heuristics optimization techniques, data mining, data analytics, simulation and distributed algorithms. The main courses are integrated with laboratory works where students have the possibility to use real robots and to practice with state of the art tools and methodologies. After the first few lectures of the basic Machine Learning course, AI master students will already know how to train self-learning artificial neural networks to recognize the images and handwritings to the right better than any other known method.

Our Artificial Intelligence program boasts highly motivated teachers, who are dedicated and very active researchers both from the Faculty of Informatics and IDSIA.

They are all actively involved in EU, FNS, CTI and industry projects. Their research activities cover subjects such as deep learning in neural networks, intelligent and collective robotics, data mining, nature-inspired optimization, simulation, approximation algorithms and intelligent information retrieval. The coursework material, software tools and robots reflects the latest state of the art. Further opportunities will arise through the thesis which may open the path towards PhD studies.

Academic Director: Luca Maria Gambardella

Co-Director: Jürgen Schmidhuber

The admission to English-language Master programmes at USI requires a good command of English. Non-native English speakers applying to the Master’s or whose previous degree was obtained in another language, are required to provide an internationally acknowledged language certificate equal to the B2 level as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR) or equivalent (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

The B2 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

*Due to the current health emergency, USI temporarily accepts TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IETLS Indicator as alternatives to the standard tests.
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home/
IELTS: https://www.ieltsindicator.com/

Students admitted under the above-mentioned condition must achieve a C1 competence in English within the maximum time required to obtain the Master's degree.
The level can be certified either by attending a language course offered at USI during the Fall and Spring semester, and by taking the final exam, or by providing an internationally acknowledged language certificate*.

*  The C1 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:​

We only accept the English qualifications mentioned above. The certificate must still be valid at the point of the application. In general, we are not able to accept language test results older than 3 years, as of September 1st.  

Italian

As Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, students might be interested in acquiring the basics in Italian.
The Università della Svizzera italiana offers a free of charge Italian language course: further information can be found here.

Exceptional Measure for the A.Y. 2020/21: when do I have to submit my English language certification?

• Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society / Economics / Informatics: by 30 December 2020. 

  If a student/student fails to obtain the required level of English by the deadline, enrolment in the 2021 winter session will be cancelled, the exams taken in the intermediate session will be invalidated and admission to the Master's degree will not be confirmed.
  ​Candidates will also be required to reach level C1 by the deadline for obtaining the degree.