Public Engineering School in Computer Science

ISIMA strives to provide a complete overview of the techniques, notions and concepts used in the computing domain. This constantly changing domain is both a field in its own right and an interface for numerous applications. ISIMA must therefore broach the two aspects.

This notion, which the school strongly promotes, aims at developing communication between the developer and end-user, and allows the inclusion within a coordinated framework:

• The use of computers as a tool for scientific calculation and development, and is part of a multidisciplinary approach
• The use of computers as a support for storage and information communication, and so also as a management and decision aid tool for business
• The design and the maintenance of IT tools at the  basic software level (networks, systems…).
• The design of the tool at the physical level and its insertion as part of automated control devices, embedded systems and telecommunications.

In practice, training is spread over three years.  The first year contains a common core curriculum. During the two following years the students have the chance to specialize by taking one of the 5 options:

• F1 – Software and Embedded Systems / Informatique des Systèmes Embarqués
• F2 – Software Engineering & Information Systems / Génie Logiciel et Systèmes Informatiques
• F3 – Information System Management and Decision Support Systems / Systèmes d’Information et Aide à la Décision
• F4 – Scientific Computing and Modeling / Modélisation mathématique et sciences des données
• F5 – Network and Security

An internship of 4 to 5 months within the industry (in France or abroad) separates the second and third year. Another internship of 5 to 6 months brings the tuition to an end. Professional training contracts are also possible in the third year.

Students can also elect to undertake during their third year one of the following courses:

• International Option (F6) ISIMA Master Double Degree in Computer Science
• Research Master’s Degree in Modelling, Systems and Imaging (Master Recherche Modèle, Systèmes, Imagerie)
• Research Master’s Degree in Robotics (Master Recherche Robotique)
• Master’s Degree in Management and Business Administration (Master Management et Administration des Entreprises)

• In one of the universities with which ISIMA has partnerships: Harbin (China), Oklahoma (United States), Quebec. See the international section for more details

Students taking one of these options benefit from a specially tailored timetable.

Students can also continue studying by choosing to do an optional 4th year within the school

This can be summarized in the following diagram:

Curriculum, assessment and evaluation procedures

Assessment is carried out each year by a regular session of in-class tests and exams followed by a second session in September. The student passes the year if they have achieved, by the end , an average grade of 10 or higher in the theory exams and successfully completed their internship (in the second and third years) following a viva voce. If the student has not met the requirements, they may be allowed to re-sit the year.

Modern language classes

Two languages are compulsory at ISIMA: English as LV1 and German, Spanish, Mandarin or Japanese as LV2.
LV1 and LV2 are studied in parallel over the three years in equal measure.  Students sit a language test for LV1 and LV2 (German or Spanish) during the first week of the academic year to stream the language groups. Students can also opt to study an LV3. To validate their ISIMA degree, a student must obtain a score of 800 or more in the TOEIC English test.