Introduction of Program

A. Program Overview

This program is designed to offer students knowledge in many emerging technology fields and information professions. The primary research subjects of this program include three major fields: Information Systems and Management, Digital Learning Technology, Bio-informatics and Medical informatics. This program places a strong emphasis on flexible courses and the project experiments. Diverse fields in this program complement each other and have strong cooperation.

In order to educate and train engineers proficient in Information Systems and Applications (ISA), the Institute of ISA at the National Tsing Hua University was founded in 2001. Our Institute features the combination of different domains of knowledge by the design, development and management of various information systems. To cope with interdisciplinary researches, the number of jointly appointed professors from other areas of research is our all faculty. Many professors have been invited to join our faculty members. At present, there are 27 professors in the institute.

Why Choose International Master of Program in Information Systems and Applications (IMPISA)? Students from diverse fields, for example, students from the area of Computers, Industrial Management, Foreign Language, and Science, can learn how to cooperate together and make very nice achievements. IMPISA offers excellent research environment and opportunities to cooperate with industries. This program combines not only theories but also applications. Students with varied cultural backgrounds can attain knowledge in computer science. After accomplishing the research thesis in IMPISA, students will be admitted to the degree of Master of Science by Institute of Information Systems and Applications.

B. The plan of this program is to follow certain directions as the intention of development of IMPISA. The directions are as follows:

1. The target of the program is to train innovative information technology personnel. The courses will focus on Multimedia Processing, Learning Technology, Computer Assisted Language Learning, Digital Library and Multimedia Applications, Intelligent Man-Machine Interfaces and Digital Life, Bio-informatics, E-Commerce and Information Security, and other innovative trends in IT field.
2. This program encourages foreign students to take relevant culture courses to learn within a multi-cultural environment.
3. Provide students to have opportunities to visit local technology industries in order to understand Taiwanese industry.
4. Assist students to participate in research projects from high-tech companies.

C. Program Objectives
National Tsing Hua University is located next to the Industry Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Hsinchu Science and Industrial Park. Within an hour driving, you can reach the Hsinchu Industrial District, Chu Nan Industrial District, Tai Chung Industrial District and Tung Luo Industrial District. Apart from all these industrial districts, National Tsing Hua University already has very strong research sources, achievements and work teams of Science, Engineering, Life Science, Humanities & Social Science and Technology Management. The key direction of this program is twofold: One is to combine technology talents and resources within the school; the other is to take the hi-tech industrial companies next to National Tsing Hua University as training places for students. For the program planning, the following aims have been included:
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D. Program Aims
1. Information Systems and Management:
Information Systems and Management includes fields of Multimedia, Computer Networking, Cluster Computing Architecture, Real Time System, Information Security, Game Theory and Applications, Information Management, Network Management, Software Engineering, E-Commerce, Information Mining, etc. In terms of professional training, we not only have advanced novel network technology, but also provide well equipped environment for learning.
2. Digital Learning Technology:
Digital Learning Technology includes fields of Learning Technology, Computer Assisted Language Learning, and Digital Library & Multimedia Applications. The goal is to help learners exceed the learning limit of time and place, making student learn anytime and anywhere. Thus, learning technology needs a more sophisticated interdisciplinary research, which includes the technology of Computer Mediated Communication, Natural Language Processing, Education, Psychology and other related fields. The whole program hopes to develop a synchronous or asynchronous learning environment which can let user learn with the help of varied learning devices to obtain more useful material and experience, or get credits and certificates. What matters in the digitalized system is the focus of humanity. Our program also provides courses concerning about varied digitalized applications and the human-computer interact.
3. Bio-informatics and Medical Informatics:
Bio-informatics and Medical Informatics includes fields of Bio-information processing, Medical Information Processing, Bio-information and Medical Image processing.
E. Program Plan and Courses

1. Graduate credits will be 24 credits, plus 4 credits for thesis; altogether there will be 28 credits.
2. There will be two pre-courses, which shall not be counted into the graduate credit, including Computer Programming and Data Structure. Basically, these two courses are prerequisite to apply for this program.
3. This program will require two to four years for a student to graduate.
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(1). Prerequisites (3 credits for each course)
Computer Programming
Data Structure

(2). Required Courses
Thesis
Independent study

(3). Required Courses for International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) Scholarship Holders
Chinese
Taiwanese Culture related course