Contents:
- For IT experts
- For engineers
- For chemists and biotechnologists
- For entrepreneurs
- For anyone interested in science and medicine
- How to get into a Master’s program at ITMO
For IT experts
Programming for the Visually Impaired
At this program, students learn to develop systems and applications that are more accessible for people with visual impairments. For instance, they design and develop accessible web interfaces (including voice assistants) and implement existing solutions. Program graduates can seek employment as system administrators, front- and back-end developers of specialized software, testers, as well as DataOps and DevOps engineers.
Evgeny Nekrasov, a second-year Master’s student and experienced programmer, will help shape the curriculum and adapt it for students with visual impairments. He has been studying at ITMO and building a successful career in IT despite having a visual impairment and a physical disability. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
AI Systems Security
This program trains security experts adept at protecting AI systems from hackers. Here, students learn to design and support secure AI-based technological processes and prevent threats to the information security of complex systems. Graduates can pursue careers as researchers or programmers specializing in AI systems security, data analysts, specialists in the automation of information and analytical processes in security, and experts in AI systems security. Such positions are available at Russian Railways, Gazprom Neft, Sberbank, Rostelecom, and other companies.
Classes at the Faculty of Secure Information Technologies. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
Danil Zakoldaev, the head of the Secure AI Systems program and dean of the Faculty of Secure Information Technologies. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
Neurotechnologies and Software Engineering
Choose this program if you want to work in telecommunications or neurotechnologies. Here, you will learn modern methodology for software engineering and research, as well as study the human brain and AI methods for detecting and modeling emotions. Also on the curriculum are the methods of analyzing and managing a person’s functional state, as well as the tools and technologies for continuous user identification in digital systems. After graduation, you can work as a software developer, a web programmer, a DevOps engineer, a program analyst, a researcher, a software architect, a machine learning engineer, or a neurotechnology specialist. Graduates can seek employment at Nexign or Robotrack, the partners of the program.
For engineers
Applied Photonics
In this program, students learn to develop new optical materials and technologies, analyze art pieces using experimental optical methods, work with the quantum highway, and create secure data transfer channels. In the second semester, you can opt for one of the available specializations, such as art photonics, where you can learn to study art pieces using spectroscopy and terahertz visualization. Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to seek employment at one of the program’s partners, including OJSC Electropribor, Cometa, Krypten, Quanttelecom, Russian Railways, and more.
A student and researcher at the Research and Educational Center for Photonics and Optoinformatics works on a quantum communication system. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
For chemists and biotechnologists
Combining IT and chemistry, this program teaches students to predict the behavior of complex chemical and biological systems using machine learning, computational modeling, and big data processing methods. After graduation, you will be able to create and program new adaptive materials, testing systems, digital twins, autonomous industrial robots or lab assistants. This skill set will allow you to work in academia, as well as at R&D departments of medical, chemical, pharmaceutical, or food companies, such as BIOCAD, VkusVill, Agama, Sibur, and others.
A tour of ITMO’s Infochemistry Scientific Center. Photo by Maria Bakina / Megabyte Media 
Students of this program learn to apply IT to solve current tasks in chemistry, biotechnology, medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, industrial robotics, healthcare, and adjacent fields. You will study neurotechnologies, create wearable healthcare trackers, develop and implement smart sensors and management tools in industrial settings, as well as engage in digital design and modeling of production technologies. Upon graduation, you will have the opportunity to work as chemistry programmers, chemoinformaticians, machine learning specialists in chemistry, or data labeling specialists at such companies as Sibur, Gazprom Neft, Agama, and others.
At a recent hackathon by ITMO, Sintelli AI, and the Moscow Center for Intelligent Healthcare. The winners shared a prize of one million rubles and were admitted to the Chemical Software program. Credit: Medtech.Moscow
This program is for the future specialists of the food industry. Students explore modern production and development methods of various food products, the legal regulations of the food industry, the basics of nutrition science, as well as quality control in food production. Graduates of the program will be able to build their careers as food product developers, innovation specialists in the food industry, as well as experts in sustainability, product quality, and packaging. You can choose to go into retail, marketing, food production, or other adjacent fields.
Students of ITMO’s School of Life Sciences. Photo by ITMO.NEWS
For entrepreneurs
High-Tech Business Management
Here, students learn to manage high-tech and deeptech startups, turn their ideas into innovative projects, and manage technological change in corporations. After mastering strategic management and business, students explore technological fields at ITMO’s labs and research centers. Then, guided by mentors, they develop and implement their business ideas in a chosen field. Graduates will be able to work in middle and senior management positions at tech companies or become business and product development experts at such companies as Kubit Praktik, Rostelecom, Gazprom Neft, MTS AI, and more.
Andrey Anfinogenov, the head of the High-Tech Business Management program and dean of the Faculty of Technological Management and Innovations. Photo by Dmitry Grigoryev / ITMO.NEWS
For anyone interested in science and medicine
In science communication, everything is about the interaction between researchers and the public. Students of the program learn to talk about complex topics in simple terms, work with texts and data, visualize scientific information, and critically evaluate research. The program presents ample opportunities to meet leading researchers and visit top laboratories. After graduation, you will get to work as a science journalist, museum specialist, scientific data analyst, producer of popular science events, or PR specialist at academic or medical organizations. Among your potential employers are Geropharm, BIOCAD, Severgroup Medicine, and others.
Students of the Public Health Sciences and Science Communication programs on exchange at the University of Seoul. This year, Master’s students at ITMO have already visited Italy, Greece, South Korea, Turkey, and Germany, with trips to China planned for fall of 2023. Credit: ITMO’s Center for Science Communication
In this program, you will learn how various factors, such as illnesses, the environment, working conditions, social status, and education, can have an impact on public health. You will also gain practical skills in biostatistics and contemporary epidemiology, learn the principles of the evidence-based approach, train to write research articles, and participate in the university’s research projects. Graduates may pursue careers as researchers, analysts, project or community managers in healthcare at research institutions, clinics, international organizations, foundations, biotech companies or the pharmaceutical industry. Some of your potential employers are Lakhta Clinic, the N.N. Petrov National Medicine Research Center of Oncology, the Scandinavia medical center and others.
Among the students of Public Health Sciences are even experienced clinicians, such as endocrinologist Anastasiia Kryuchkova (left) or Lyubov Malyugina (right). Photo by Maria Bakina / Megabyte Media 
How to get into a Master’s program at ITMO
Although each program can have different admission opportunities, here are the most common ways to enroll:
- Pass entrance exams.
- Win ITMO’s Portfolio contest.
- Win ITMO’s Mega Contest.
- Become a winner or a medalist of the I am a Professional contest.
- Become a winner or a runner-up in the competition for best report of the national Congress of Young Scientists.
- Submit a letter of recommendation from the head of the program.
- Pass the test at ITMO’s Mega School.
- Win the Science Needs You! contest.
- Win a related contest or internship.
Explore all the opportunities for applicants here.
