General data

Name of the master	Erasmus Mundus European Masters in Vision and Robotics (VIBOT)
Official postgraduate programme (POP)	POP in Technology
Type	Research
Participating universities	University of Burgundy (France), Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) and University of Girona
Coordinating university	University of Burgundy
Number of credits	120
Language of instruction	English: 100%
Study regime	Full time
Duration	Two academic years
Start of the course	1 October 2007
Method	Face-to-face / mixed
Course organised by	Semesters (the second semester will take place at the UdG)
Maximum number of students	40
Price	Subsidised (to give a general idea of what this means, for the 2006-2007 academic year the price has been set at 24-28 € per ECTS credit; in anticipation of approval of a Government of Catalonia decree, expected by June 2007, an approximate increase of between 5% and 7% can be calculated for the 2007-2008 academic year).
More information	www.vibot.org

Educational objectives

The European Masters in Vision and Robotics (VIBOT) is a European course organised by the Vision and Robotics European Consortium (VREC), consisting of the University of Burgundy (France), the University of Girona (Catalonia, Spain) and Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom). This masters responds to current industry needs in the area of quality control and process automation. The two main areas of study are computer vision and robotics.

Curriculum structure

This two-year programme is divided into four semesters, each with 30 ECTS credits. The masters begins with a week of immersion, which takes place in September at the University of Burgundy, and finishes in July of the second year, at which time the students return to the University of Burgundy to present oral defences of their theses.

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences of Heriot-Watt University (Scotland, United Kingdom) hosts the first semester activities. This period includes an introduction to the theory and the tools for signal and image processing.

The second semester will take place at the Polytechnic School of the University of Girona (Catalonia, Spain). This semester will focus on computer vision applied to robotics.

The third semester will be carried out at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Burgundy (France). At this stage the advanced analysis of images and recognition of shapes based on images from data sensors, with special emphasis on medical images, will be studied.

The fourth semester is completely focused on the masters thesis, which can consist of an introduction to research in one of the consortium laboratories or an internship in a company that works with computer vision or robotics technologies.

Career opportunities

All of those resulting from the skills provided in the masters and from its clear international character: a) extensive knowledge and skills in computer vision techniques, signal and image processing and robotics; b) critical analysis, system evaluation and project and experimental design related to techniques and methodologies in a specialised area of research as well as their application in and transfer to local industries; c) oral and written communication skills, formulating and solving problems, and process planning according to academic and professional standards; d) working independently and as a group leader and ease of adaptation to different professional roles and situations, and e) skills for effective interaction in a multicultural and multilingual environment.

Admission profile, previous education requirements and admission and selection criteria

Emphasis will be placed on academic records that reflect theoretical knowledge of algorithmics and/or programming languages, knowledge of algebra and geometry, and of numerical systems for solving equations. Likewise, it is recommended to have certain knowledge of digital circuits, understood as the basis of how a computer works and real-time architectures.

Priority will be given to students who can certify they meet the admission requirements established by the consortium formed by the three universities and governed by the European Union policy related to the Erasmus Mundus masters programmes. Specifically, to be admitted, students must demonstrate:

• Excellent results leading to their degrees (minimum of 180 ECTS credits) in Industrial or Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Science, Robotics, Physics, Mathematics and other degrees with similar basic subjects.
• To follow instruction, a suitable level of English corresponding to a level of 550 on the TOEFL, 213 on the computer-based TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS or a C level on the Cambridge Proficiency Certificate.
• Motivation to complete the coursework and its expected application to their professional development.

In addition, the admission of non European students must comply with the quota system imposed between institutions and countries by the European Union to award the 25 Erasmus Mundus grants.

» More information: General entrance requeriments

Pre-registration

Given the international character of the VIBOT masters course, the pre-registration procedure is centralized. Go to www.vibot.org and in the “Application Procedure” section you will find instructions for online pre-registration and a list of the documents you will need to send us.

Admission to the Doctoral programme

Students can apply for admission to the doctoral course of any Official Postgraduate Programme (POP, Programes Oficials de Postgrau) at the University of Girona provided they have completed a minimum of 60 ECTS credits in a POP programme or have an official master’s degree and have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits in their undergraduate and postgraduate studies at a university or other centre of higher education. The applications will be reviewed by the Doctoral Council of each programme.

» More information: POP doctoral programmes

Contact

Academic staff persons in charge:

Joaquim Salvi
qsalvi@eia.udg.es
Telephone: 00 (34) 972 418 483

Robert Martí
marly@eia.udg.es
Telephone: 00 (34) 972 418 494

Fax: 00 (34) 972 418 976

Additional information

Stays abroad

Refer to the UdG External Relations website: http://www.udg.edu/internacional/

Grants

Refer to the UdG Research website: http://portalderecerca.udg.edu/