My computers understand me

Degree programme objectives

The Computational Linguistics program bridges the education in humanities and natural science and offers introduction to both of these worlds. The aim is to train linguists with knowledge of general and development patterns of the language (reflected primarily on the Czech language), with a focus in computational linguistics, qualified in relation to the field of information technologies and capable of algorithmic thinking.

Teaching takes place at the philosophical faculty in courses provided by the Institute of the Czech language. These courses provide description of Czech language and language generally and fundamental knowledge of computational and corpus linguistics as well as basics of mathematics and statistics, specially designed for the needs of humanities. Students are also offered specifically selected courses from Faculty of Informatics MU which are utilizable for computer linguistics. The language skills of the students are strongly emphasized, particularly the ability to use both written and spoken forms of Czech excellently. Good knowledge of English and other languages is also encouraged.

Throughout the study, emphasis is placed on linking theoretical knowledge with their practical application. The study program includes excursions to academic and commercial workplaces, lectures by invited speakers, workshops and the participation of students in research and application projects. It also emphasizes teamwork on specified tasks.

A positive aspect of the study program is an extensive contact with organizations and companies focusing on similar topics, especially in the South Moravian region. Students can participate in these organizations during their studies as interns. The graduates of the three-year bachelor program are thus well prepared for study of follow-up master program as well as for entry into practice.

This is the only study program in the Czech Republic, in which you can study computational linguistics in humanities-oriented undergraduate degree program.

The study program is recommended for high school graduates who are interested in Czech / languages generally, mathematics, and informatics at the same time, and in the search of intersections between seemingly different areas and breaking the myths of their incompatibility.

Study plans

Studies

  • Objectives

    The Computational Linguistics program bridges the education in humanities and natural science and offers introduction to both of these worlds. The aim is to train linguists with knowledge of general and development patterns of the language (reflected primarily on the Czech language), with a focus in computational linguistics, qualified in relation to the field of information technologies and capable of algorithmic thinking.

    Teaching takes place at the philosophical faculty in courses provided by the Institute of the Czech language. These courses provide description of Czech language and language generally and fundamental knowledge of computational and corpus linguistics as well as basics of mathematics and statistics, specially designed for the needs of humanities. Students are also offered specifically selected courses from Faculty of Informatics MU which are utilizable for computer linguistics. The language skills of the students are strongly emphasized, particularly the ability to use both written and spoken forms of Czech excellently. Good knowledge of English and other languages is also encouraged.

    Throughout the study, emphasis is placed on linking theoretical knowledge with their practical application. The study program includes excursions to academic and commercial workplaces, lectures by invited speakers, workshops and the participation of students in research and application projects. It also emphasizes teamwork on specified tasks.

    A positive aspect of the study program is an extensive contact with organizations and companies focusing on similar topics, especially in the South Moravian region. Students can participate in these organizations during their studies as interns. The graduates of the three-year bachelor program are thus well prepared for study of follow-up master program as well as for entry into practice.

    This is the only study program in the Czech Republic, in which you can study computational linguistics in humanities-oriented undergraduate degree program.

    The study program is recommended for high school graduates who are interested in Czech / languages generally, mathematics, and informatics at the same time, and in the search of intersections between seemingly different areas and breaking the myths of their incompatibility.

  • Learning Outcomes

    After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

    • apply basic knowledge about the language, particularly Czech, its structure and development;
    • apply in practice the basic knowledge from the area of computational linguistics, corpus linguistics, computer science, mathematics and statistics;
    • understand the terminology and methodology of linguistics and computational linguistics;
    • use their extensive knowledge of the literary language, and great skills of written and spoken language (with an emphasis on professional style);
    • manage work with language corpora, and with computer-based tools for natural language analysis;
    • use programming knowledge in practice.
  • Occupational Profiles of Graduates

    The graduates can perform in very broad area. Students usually gain first work experience during their bachelor’s study by engaging in research and commercial projects and internships in the cooperating companies. An ideal job for the computational linguistics graduates are in companies from the field of information technology focused on using natural language, for example Google, Seznam or Moravia.

    Students inclining to the linguistic part of the education may work e.g. as proofreaders, copywriters or editors. Those students inclining to the computer science may found job in the IT businesses processing language data or work in positions of annotators or documentation writers. The graduates are appreciated for very good knowledge of the Czech language, communicativeness, the ability to work both independently and as members of the team and good orientation in mathematics and IT (from the informed overview to knowledge of programming).

    For the application in practice good knowledge of English and possibly other languages is of great advantage. The employability of graduates is significantly increased by possibility of combining the study of computational linguistics with a different language or with the study at FI MU.

  • Practical Training

    Students engage in practice during the study in the form of both internal and external practice and internships. The internship can be recognised and valued 4 credits as the PLIN060 - Intership for Bachelor's Degree after confirmation of at least 40 hours worked in a given calendar year, with one or more employers. The content of the internship is consulted with teachers of the PLIN060 course, which at the same time provide necessary help with obtaining the internships.

  • Goals of Theses

    Bachelor theses in the field of computational linguistics are targeted mostly on application. Another possibility is theoretical thesis. Students can choose between topics focused more on linguistics or IT in connection with the choice of the thesis supervisor being either from the Faculty of Arts or from Faculty of Informatics MU. The theses connecting linguistics with computer science typically have also a consultant thus ensuring the quality in both fields. Emphasis is placed on the detailed contextualization of the topic in linguistics, computational linguistics or computer science, processing of empirical data and the appropriate use of computer tools and processing methods.

    Bachelor thesis shall comply with the requirements on this type of output, which includes a good text structure, clarity and conciseness, clear interpretation of results, adequate typographical quality, and list of bibliographic sources.

  • Access to Further Studies

    A student may, after graduating from the bachelor program in Computational Linguistics continue the follow-up master program or in other programs, in particular at the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Informatics MU.

Basic information

Abbreviation
B-PLIN_
Type
Bachelor's degree programme
Profile
academic
Degree
Bc.
Length of studies
3 years
Language of instruction
Czech Czech

38
number of active students
11
number of theses/dissertations

Faculty of Arts
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In cooperation with
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