International Bachelor

Integrated preparatory classes (Year 1 & 2)

Bachelor Year 1 & 2: two years to pick up the fundamental skills of engineering, called preparatory cycle.

As per the tradition of French engineering schools, EPITA begins with integrated preparatory classes (Year 1 & 2).

Inspired by the concept of traditional scientific preparatory classes, EPITA’s prep classes are modern and dynamic and characterized by the students’ shared passion: computing and information technologies.

A customized program for future IT engineers

• Mathematics, which is essential for IT engineers, is given considerable weight. Physicsand electronics are also studied.
• Computer science (algorithmic, languages, programming, computer architecture, digital electronics) pave the way for the engineering years.
• Initial projects are already set up to prepare students for engineering activities.
• English skills, written and spoken skills, general knowledge and economics are developed to complement the basic skills of the future IT engineer. Students are already part of EPITA.

1st year, first projects : Info Sup

During the 1st year, the topic is game design, with game graphics and 3D engines, developed under Windows, Object Pascal, Delphi and/or Caml. Scenarios, graphics and sounds are chosen, then input and output devices are programmed.
Games have to be based on networks and be of near-professional quality. Result: Quake-like, Marble madness-like, Gta-like games.

2nd year : Info Spé

A different environment (Unix, Mac OS, Linux, Palm OS), often with a multi-platform purpose. The 2nd year is no longer about games but about strategy, with notions of Artificial Intelligence.
The result is utility programs (Photoshop-like programs), 3D modeling software (like 3D studio), Winamp-like programs (mpeg3 player) and OCR programs. These are developed using C, C++ or Caml.

In both cases, projects are carried out in groups of 4. The work handed in at the end is of professional quality, burned on a CD with a cover and user guide.

3rd year Bachelor : project culture, openness and customized tracks : ING1

During the 3rd year, students learn the theoretical bases of IT and how to apply them through many projects, so as to be as close to the reality of engineering as possible. In addition to the scientific and technological classes, students learn about business methods and tools: management, law, marketing, communication, strategy, quality, organization, foreign languages...
At the end of the 1st year, students have the skills required to join a company as an intern: understanding and complying with specifications, developing and managing a project, carrying out research and presenting one’s work, etc.

The study structure is consistent with European standards, with studies divided in semesters, the accumulation of learning outcomes and ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation system).

Preparatory cycle: Bachelor Year 1 & 2

In Year 1 (Info Sup) and Year 2 (Info Spé), each year is split into 5 similar modules; the number of hours spent on each module varies between the 1st and 2nd year of the preparatory cycle.

Preparatory cycle: Bachelor Year 1 & 2

The mathematics classes aim at developing students’ reasoning and analytical skills, strengthening their logic and increasing their abstraction capacities. The program deliberately focuses on IT applications.

Engineering sciences

Physics and electronics (digital or analog), mechanics and quantum mechanics are all parts of an engineer’s general knowledge which cannot be overlooked.
Though the level of detail is not as great as in non specialized schools, these notions are nevertheless essential in IT areas such as robotics.

Programming & Languages

During the two first years, students attend seminars, classes and practical work sessions which teach them about programming languages (C, C#, C++, Ocaml) on both major operating systems (Unix -Linux- and Windows).
They carry out practical work and mini-projects but the main challenge is the annual project. In teams of 4, students work together for 6 months and are able to showcase their knowledge: they demonstrate their skills in algorithmics, programming, but also physics, mathematics and even human science. These skills have to be used to develop websites and reports associated with the project.

Algorithmics

An algorithm is a “systematic procedure that produces—in a finite number of steps—the answer to a question or the solution of a problem.” (Encyclopaedia Britannica). The fact of knowing the rules that apply is called algorithmic formalism, a skill students will learn to master to become experts in problem analysis.
They will define increasingly complex data structures and help model various objects such as networks, data set representation, 3D objects... They will study all traditional algorithms, from research to hashing, shortest paths, spanning trees and sorting.

Humanities

The Humanities module is based on 2 complementary approaches: optimal training to meet the concrete needs of businesses and international outlooks.
French for Foreigners classes aim at making students fluent at the end of their studies. “Environment and openness” is more than a simple theoretical course in economics as it gives a practical approach to the everyday issues faced by companies. As for the traditional “general knowledge” class, it has been replaced with “Expression methods and techniques” aiming at developing intellectual thoroughness and spoken and written effectiveness.

Bachelor Year 3, “ING1”, 1st step to the Engineering cycle

During the third and final year of the International Bachelor of Computer Science, the program is split as follows:

• Core curriculum: compulsory cross-disciplinary classes designed to help students develop managerial skills: business knowledge, engineering science, methods, languages...
• Open option track (OOT): allows students to give their course a specific direction, based on 3 possible tracks: scientific track, technological track or managerial track.
• Elective subjects: short session which focuses on a topic which is not necessarily linked to technological or scientific learning.

As part of EPITA’s innovative programs, lessons are now based on the European model. The program is split into modules and course units for which credits are awarded.
These credits will make it possible to validate points awarded by our European or global partners as part of international exchanges. As they are based on modules, courses are also a lot more flexible. Since they are centered on “essential subjects” and “options”, they can be more easily implemented and selected.
The school’s staff is there to listen and give advice and guidance based on students’ career plans and the true needs of the industry in the years to come.

Number of hours per year for each of the 5 modules in Info Sup

In Year 1 “Info Sup”, as in Year 3 “Info Spé”, the curriculum is split into 5 modules.

In addition to these hours, students need to work regularly, both for their theoretical classes and for projects. Each student may get advice from a tutor chosen among the upper-year students, and tutoring and revision classes are taught by teachers for anyone who wishes to get help in their personal work.

Others subjects taught in the bachelor cycle

• Mathematics (algebra and geometry needed for 2D and 3D graphics engines).
• Physics (for instance Newton’s laws so that the physical engines are true simulators and not just there for show).
• Electronics (signal processing and Fourier transform for instance), in relation to sound.

As for human science subjects, they are not left out, because the projects lead to reports and oral dissertations. The expression methods and techniques class helps learn to write various types of documents and become more comfortable during oral presentations. The French class is also very useful for the report and part of the oral dissertation has to be carried out in French.

Students can also showcase their complementary skills. If they can draw, they can sketch the environments or characters in their games, then scan them and create original background images. And if they are good composers, they can create background music of special effects. “Power to the imagination!” has to become their motto.
The best projects are chosen to be presented at the beginning of the year to new students so they get an idea of what a project is, what is expected of them and the ups and downs of such endeavors. All this is told by those who really went through the experience. They are also presented at Open Days and at shows attended by EPITA.

Course content

In Year 2 «Info Spé», as in Year 1 «Info Sup», the curriculum is split into 5 modules.

Number of hours per year for each of the 5 modules in Info Spé

In addition to these hours, students need to work regularly, both for their theoretical classes and for projects. Each student may get advice from a tutor chosen among the upper-year students, and tutoring and revision classes are taught by teachers for anyone who wishes to get help in their personal work.

Industrial internship

The school advises all students to gain experience as an employee or manual worker, so as to better understand their role as managers in the future. However, students may already carry out placements working as technicians as their skills at the end of the preparatory cycle are already high enough for many jobs to be offered to them.

The internship may last between 1 and 3 months, depending on the courses followed in the second semester, in France or abroad. Students studying in Northern countries finish the semester at the end of May, whereas those studying in Asia leave later and return in July.

International semester

What makes EPITA truly stand out is the opportunity it gives its French students to gain international experience as early as in the bachelor cycle. A course program is developed with partner universities to help students strengthen their basic scientific knowledge in a totally different cultural environment.

Open-mindedness, human enrichment, understanding of cultures and international networking.

Over 60 partner universities on every continent are ready to welcome you.

Core curriculum of 3rd year

The core curriculum is based on the fundamental notions of general IT as well as on the cross-disciplinary, methodological and managerial knowledge required to be a manager. Scientific subjects are taught to strengthen and complete the course by providing the future engineers with crucial scientific knowledge.
At EPITA, information technology is regarded as a noble and main subject taught with a view to training future managers and supervisors. Projects shape the engineering cycle in a manner which is original and characteristic of the school: they are all about passion and professionalism.

• General science
• Engineering sciences

• Computer science
• Humanities and business knowledge

Open option tracks (OOT)

In parallel to the core curriculum, OOTs allow students to take advantage of their personal interests. Students can customize their studies by choosing 1 of 3 tracks:

«Science and research» OOT for theoreticians and future researchers

• Mathematical bases for IT security
• Formal logic
• Linear programming
• Introduction to image processing
• Distributed algorithms

• Structural complexity
• Finite elements
• Modern physics
• Parallel computing

«Advanced technology and development» for students passionate about technology

• Advanced compilation (TIGER project)
• DotNet environment and C# development
• Windows CE
• Apple Cocoa & Objective-C Ruby on Rails

• Network configuration and Windows VISTA
• Introduction to advanced XML D language
• Software security and secure coding

«Managerial methods and techniques» OOT for students who wish to develop dual skills

• Technology markets: financial elements and marketing
• Innovation management
• Industrial marketing
• Mathematical bases for careers in finance

• Practical aspects of international project negotiations
• Business writing
• Business management
• Organizational sociology

These OOTs can be combined with an international period abroad (academic exchange with a partner university), depending on the program of the chosen track. For future business creators, the track can be customized through an open project supported by the school(coaching by a joint team of teachers and professional partners).

After the International Bachelor of Computer Science, the Honors program is organized around a 5-month company-based or research-based internship, culminating in an Honors' Thesis to be defended on campus.

This Honors Thesis is carried out in France during an internship on a topic linked to computing and IT.
It is the students’ first chance to truly apply the knowledge they picked up in the bachelor cycle and enables them to apply their skills to the needs and constraints of the company. This internship is paid (except in the case of research and charities). Students will have to write a report, defend the report orally and give a presentation.

The Honors Program is mandatory to pursue education at the Master’s Level at EPITA, either the Diplôme d’Ingénieur or the International Master.

Admissions requirements

Eligibility

Our International Bachelor in Computer Science is open to candidates after high school graduation in Sciences or in the first year of a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or related fields.
The Students need to have a strong background in Mathematics and General Sciences. Candidates must also have strong analytical and problem solving abilities.

English Proficiency

Internationally recognized standardized tests of English are compulsory for all candidates who are neither native English speakers nor holders of a high school graduation obtained from an English language institution.
EPITA accepts the following standardized tests of English: TOEFL (minimum score 550 ITP, 213 CBT, 80 IBT) or TOEIC (minimum score 750) or IELTS (minimum score 6.0); Cambridge ESOL Examinations BULATS (B2).

French Proficiency

EPITA's International Bachelor of Computer Science is taught exclusively in English; hence students are not required to demonstrate French proficiency upon program start. Nonetheless, accepted students are given a one-year access to an exclusive online language learning tool and weekly French lessons are integrated throughout the Bachelor’s program. The undergraduate students reach intermediate French proficiency by the end of their studies.