DIGITAL HUMANITIES

MASTER

The Master of Science in Digital Humanities is an opportunity to learn how to transform data

from our global cultural heritage, historical archives and social media into a deeper

understanding of the world we live in. Students acquire a toolbox of essential computer science

and humanities skills for applications across interdisciplinary fields, giving them the acute

insight and unique foresight to become decision makers and leaders of

tomorrow.

© DHI, photographer: Alain Herzog

From data to knowledge

Data – Knowledge – Understanding – ResponsibilityCritical decisions need to be taken on a daily basis, but decision makers with a critical approach are rare and in high demand. Interpreting data into meaningful knowledge about specific events and global trends necessitates a wide range of skills in both the humanities and computer science that EPFL’s Master of Science in Digital Humanities is uniquely positioned to offer.

The Digital Humanities studies begin with educating students on how to transcribe, analyze and visualize cultural data—converting raw information into socially and economically relevant

knowledge. At EPFL students master data acquisition and analysis, audio and image processing, machine learning and pattern recognition, but also learn to grasp the

underlying humanistic structures in society that come from proximity to the cultural milestones of great thinkers and creative geniuses.

Students also learn how to interpret, manipulate and visualize data to take informed, high-level decisions.

The Master in Digital Humanities fosters this deeper understanding of the global issues at stake in any

academic, cultural or industrial process. A profound sense of responsibility springs from this

transformation of data into knowledge, thus curating information into

an intellectually rich understanding of the

world.

Project-oriented studiesToday’s Digital Humanities students aspire to discover the next algorithm that could

revolutionize how we perceive literature or interact with social media, and also have their sights on leveraging this unique knowledge to activate change and growth for society as

a whole. This type of mindset can best be obtained through project-oriented studies, and EPFL offers rich options for student projects thanks to the activities of its top-

of-the-field professors. Some examples of exciting projects and opportunities are:

The Venice Time Machine is a flagship of Digital Humanities projects, known around the world for using machine-learning to analyze

1,000 years of maps and manuscripts from the floating city.

The Montreux Jazz Digital Project offers students the possibility to analyze and explore over 50 years of

concerts with cross-disciplinary collaborations in musicology, signal analysis and digitization.

EPFL’s ArtLab is a massive on-campus experimental art gallery where

professors and students can present innovative exhibits

in digital culture and museographic technology.

Jutta Kaht, Secquaero (CH) : “There is a need to merge technical expertise with humanities. Everywhere there are patterns to be discovered.”

Albert Einstein: “We cannot solve the problems using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

© EPFL, photographer: Alain Herzog

© DMK ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY / Adrien Barakat

Computer Science

20 ECTS

Optional courses 14 ECTS

Internship in academia, cultural in�itution or indu�ry 30 ECTS

Ma�er’s Thesis 30 ECTS

DigitialHumanities

26 ECTS

Master of Science in

DIGITAL HUMANITIES

2-year program – 120 ECTS

EC

TS

Computer Science 20

Applied data analysis 6

Computational social media 4

Foundation of Digital Humanities 6

Machine Learning for DH 4

CAREER PROSPECTS

Digital humanists, those who have both advanced technical skills and profound cultural awareness, are leading the current technological revolution in information technology, mobility and consumer products. Whether one launches a startup straight out of the program or lands a position in a major industry or cultural institution, a Master in Digital Humanities is as much a set of technical skills as it is a mindset for success.

ADMISSIONS

Interested students must have a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) discipline with excellent records and a solid understanding of programming, algebra, statistics, and signal processing. Students must also express an active interest in culture and humanities through previous studies or extracurricular activities and personal projects.

go.epfl.ch/master-digital-humanities Contact information: master-dh@epfl.ch

IMAGE COVER

“When the Music is Good – 2013” This artwork connects the artists of the Montreux Jazz Festival if they have played together on stage at least once in the last 50 years.

© Kirell Benzi - http://kirellbenzi.com

Digital Humanities 26

Cultural data sculpting 5

Digital musicology 5

Design research for digital innovation 5

History and the digital 5

SHS: introduction to project 3

SHS: project 3

Optional courses 14

Advanced computer graphics 6

Audio and acoustic signal processing 5

Automatic speech processing 3

Computational photography 5

Computer vision 4

Data visualization (pas donné en 2019-20) 4

Database systems 7

De la structure a l'ornement 3

Decision-aid methodologies in transportation 4

Deep learning 4

Digital 3D geometry processing 5

Digital education & learning analytics 4

Distributed information systems 4

Exploratory data analysis and geovisualization 4

Human computer interaction 4

Image and video processing 6

Image processing I 3

Image processing II 3

Information theory and signal processing 6

Introduction au BIM (Building Information Modeling) 3

Introduction to natural language processing 4

Linear models 5

Machine learning 7

Spatial statistics and analysis 5

Strategic marketing and technology commercialization 4

Technology & innovation strategy 4

UE H: Graphie 4

UE J: Territoire et paysage 4

UE R: Introduction au BIM (Building Information Modeling) 4

Virtual reality 4

Visions et utopies 3

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