On the 1st semester, the main theme is scientific work, and you are going to write a scientific article together with fellow students. Moreover, you will do a project together. The project topic on the 1st semester is often networks – for instance, you may design a network for use in demanding situations, e.g. for handling the communication between dash board and the gearbox in a car. You may also choose to work with larger distributed systems such as cooperating robots. The results must be presented at a conference at Aalborg University, and traditionally, selected projects may be chosen for presentation at international conferences with participating scientists from all over the world.

1st semester project examples

• Real-time networks over IP protocol
• Networks for satellite communication
• Intelligent control of capacity in wireless networks
• Intelligent networks for disaster areas
• Control systems for field robots

1st semester courses

• Stochastic processes
• Distributed real-time systems
• Communication networks and ambient intelligence (elective)
• Wireless PHY/MAC fundamentals (elective)

On the 2nd semester, you will design a large distributed system in which several subsystems must communicate and interact in order for the system to reconcile.

Via theory, methodology and practical work, you will solve problems such as how to make such robots work together, how to design a wireless unit that can last for 30 years moulded in concrete, how to ensure that both software and hardware of a satellite works properly before launch, etc., etc.

The semester project will often take its starting point in a practical problem presented by a company or originating from a research project, with certain requirements such as functionality, capacity, quality and reliability. The challenge lies in designing a network that lives up to the stated requirements, having first-class functionality despite e.g. low battery capacity.

2nd semester project examples

• Routing in wireless ad-hoc networks betweren cars
• Localisation in wireless networks
• Analysis of network traffic
• Wireless sensor networks for gathering seismographic data

2nd semester courses

• Wireless systems performance
• Fault detection, isolation and modelling
• Network performance and applications

On the 3rd semester, you begin your specialisation, and many students choose to spend both the 3rd and the 4th semester on their master’s thesis. The topic largely depends on your interests; typically, students choose subjects within analysis or network planning.

The 3rd semester mainly focuses on analysis; e.g. examining how a large system handles demanding situations, involving several factors at the same time. This could for instance be how an alarm system reacts to virus attack, or what would happen if seven components in an aeroplane broke independently of each other. Or what will be the future broadband network?  

In order to carry out such analyses, you need to have vast technological insight. On the 3rd semester, you will of course be taught technological and statistic disciplines enabling you to work with analyses such as these.

Apart from analysis, you may also choose to focus your studies on network planning. Here are subjects such as: What will be the future broadband infrastructure? How do wired and wireless technologies interplay, etc.

3rd semester project examples

• Energy control in wireless sensor networks
• Intelligent traffic systems
• Development of a system for IP-telephony and video
• Navigation system for pedestrians
• Total plan for broadband network in Iceland

On the 3rd semester, you also have the option of studying at another university outside of Denmark or spend the semester as an intern in a company.

3rd semester courses

• Systems of systems/complex systems
• Machine learning (elective)
• Non-linear control systems (elective)

In the 3rd semester of the master’s programme in Networks and Distributed Systems, you have the opportunity to go abroad or spend your semester in a company.

Aalborg University cooperates with a range of universities across the world and has well-established contacts in industry both in regards to student projects and company internships. The International Office at Aalborg University may assist you with guidance, but you must make your own preparations, incl. checking whether you need advanced credit transfer, looking for accommodation, checking up on insurance, visa and possible needed vaccinations, and, if relevant, how to avoid a lapse of your Danish residence permit.

The 4th semester is reserved entirely for working on your master’s thesis. You have freedom of choice to a large extent when it comes to the topic. It could for instance be a research project or your own idea – the topic must always be approved by your thesis supervisor.

There are no courses on the 4th semester.

If you have questions about what it's like to be a student at AAU, etc., please feel free to contact the student counsellors who are themselves students at AAU:

• Emma-Sofie Hestbech
• Johannes Kruse Hellmers

E-mail: e-sv@es.aau.dk 
Phone: +45 9940 8614

Fredrik Bajers Vej 7, room D2-109
9220 Aalborg East

Office hours

Wednesdays at 4 - 5.30 pm.

Questions about applications?

Our Admissions Office will be happy to help if you have questions about the application process, an application you have already sent, if you need information on residence permits, or have general questions about studying at Aalborg University.

Call us during office hours (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 12-14, Friday 12-14, Wednesday closed):
(45) 9940 9655 (Master's programme)
(45) 9940 9425 (Bachelor’s programmes)

E-mail:
masteradmission@aau.dk (Master's programmes)
bacheloradmission@aau.dk (Bachelor’s programmes)

General counselling for enrolled AAU students

You can find a lot of useful stuff for your study life at AAU on the website for general student guidance at AAU.

We can help you with questions about choices during your studies, doubts, study techniques, your wellbeing, taking a break or dropping out of your studies. Or maybe you just need to talk about your life? We are glad to help with all matters.