CAS course in Data Management and Information Technologies

The digital transformation is fundamentally changing libraries and information institutions. The CAS Data Management and Information Technologies, which is offered in cooperation with the University of Zurich, provides in-depth knowledge on topics such as automatic cataloguing, research data management and digital long-term archiving.

Participants acquire practical skills in handling data - for example with XML and Python - and deepen these in tutorials, exercises and projects. This enables them to analyse data structures and take on interface functions between research, computer science and information science.

Module 1

Generation of data

• E-media
• OCR
• Digitisation
• Standards and quality assurance
• Automatic indexing and external data enrichment
• Manuscript recognition Transkribus
• Excursion: Fonoteca

Module 2

Information systems

• IIIF
• Library metadata formats
• Text formats, TEI
• Information retrieval
• Text mining
• Open Refine
• Discovery systems

Practical Module 3

Practical Module 3

• XML
• Shell, Regex
• Python
• Practical project with presentation at the final workshop

Module 4

Data access and archiving

• Visualisation and interaction
• Database technologies
• Digitisation and law
• Open access
• Linked open data, semantic web
• Research data management
• Long-term archiving

At our information event, you can find out how the study programme will enable you to actively shape the digital future in libraries and information institutions - with XML, Python and a sound understanding of data processes. You will also receive comprehensive information on the programme, content and application.

Have you already made your decision and would like to register? Registration deadline: 5 January 2026. Click here for the registration form.

The programme comprises 20 ECTS credits in four modules and runs from January to September. Prerequisites are a university degree at Master's level and professional experience in academic libraries, archives or memory institutions. Further information on the content of the modules, fees and enrolment can be found on the UZH partner website.

Are you ready to take your first steps in Python?

In the practical module, you will receive an introduction to the Python programming language. Using concrete tasks, you will learn how to write and modify simple scripts - ideal for beginners with no prior knowledge.

Example exercise: Filtering words with Python

Aim: The function words ‘like’, ‘a’ and ‘I’ are to be removed from a text so that only content words (e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives) remain.

You work with three different methods:

• Variant 1: Single words
• Variant 2: Regular expressions
• Variant 3: Word types

Experiment with the code, adapt it and observe the effects. Which method delivers the best results? Does linguistic information support the text analysis - or do simple methods also lead to the goal? Find out!

Do you have any questions about the CAS programme? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to advise you personally.