printable versionMaster of Science in Computer Science
The objective of the Master degree in Computer Science is to form professionals and researchers with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Theory and lab classes rotate during the all course of studies. That is the reason why the Computer Science graduated finds a job quickly (2 months, if not before ending the studies-source Almalaurea); this happens not by chance but because Computer Science jobs are on the top 5 list of the most wanted specialists in Italy.
The Computer Science course at the University of Trento offers some specific features, which makes it unique compared to similar courses of other Italian Universities; the standards of UniTN Computer Science courses are comparable to the standards of prestigious European and worldwide universities.
The dynamic and young teaching staff is around 40 years old (average age); almost all the professors are actively involved in research in their fields, as stated in the Google Scholar biometric indexes.A strong drive toward Internationalization is one of the key factor that distinguishes Computer Science at UniTN: all Master Degree courses are taught in English, 20% of our teaching staff comes from abroad and about 40% of the Master Degree students are foreigners. The reason behind it is simple: to be a Computer Science professional today means to be confronted and to be working in a global market where the English language is fundamental. From the students’ point of view, to take part in an international environment from the start, gives them the opportunity to face global problems and cultural issues right from the beginning.
The Computer Science course offers the opportunity to participate at the Erasmus programme in the main European cities and the opportunity to enter Double Degree Programmes financed by the EU Commission in exchange with Georgiatech (USA), the University of Edinburgh (UK) and the University of Aachen (Germany). Double Degree means the student will spend 1 year in Italy and 1 year at the Partner University and ending the programme by having two Degrees recognized by both institutions and both Countries.
The connections with the industry is very close; just to mention IBM, which comes on a yearly basis to proffer their cutting edge products, and Microsoft, which has founded in Trento the only Bioinformatics research center of Italy.
The goal of the Master of Science in Computer Science (“Laurea Magistrale in Informatica”) is to train people to get to know the basic theoretical principles of the computer sciences, to be to able to acquire specific knowledge in the macro-areas close to software technologies, systems and networks, multimedia, dedicated systems, safety and security engineering.
The course foresees the acquisition of knowledge, methodologies and specialized informatics technologies which will give to the graduated student the opportunity to plan, to design, to develop, to estimate, to manage complex or innovative systems for the production, the transmission and processing of information. During the course, after having acquired the above-mentioned competences, the student will be able to choose to further consolidate its knowledge by following a course of informatics sciences and technologies, which offers advanced and innovative methodologies to be able to tackle industrial complex technological problems; or to undertake a research doctorate.
In alternative, the student will be able to take up interdisciplinary studies, aimed at completing its own computer science background with management/economic competences in the field of the technological innovation and entrepreneurship in the ICT sector, or to undertake a double degree with a foreign university. Among the common objectives we like to underline: the autonomy, by taking responsibility of projects and structures of large dimensions; the widening of the scientific research methodology, the method of logical-deductive thinking and the inductive methods connected to research; the fundamental knowledge of the techniques and methods to design and implementation of information systems, both basics and applicatives.
Among more specific objectives we like to mention: to pursue the scientific and technological aspect of one of the computer science macro-area or pursuing more than one macro-area. The completion of the career by undertaking other courses offered by UniTN (biology, economy, maths, etc.) or activities related to entrepreneurship and innovation within the educational programs offered by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
Double degrees
The Master Degree in Computer Science has activate the following agreements of degree:
EUMI - European Master in Informatics, in cooperation with the University of Edimburgh (UK) and RWTH Aachen University (Germany). The students complete two semesters in Trento, two semesters in one of the partner university, and complete the thesis in co-tutoring. T the end of the programme the student receives two degrees: Bachelor in Computer science by the University of Trento and the “Master of Science in Computer Science or Medium Informatics” granted by the RWTH Aachen University or the “Master of Science in Informatics” granted by the University of Edinburgh. EUMI is financed by the European Community under the Erasmus Mundus program.ATLAS - ATLAntic masterS in electrical-computer engineering and computer science, in cooperation with Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, USA) and the Technische Universität München (Germany). The students complete two semesters in Trento, two semesters in Atlanta, a short period of study (10 credits) in Munich (Bavaria), and complete a thesis in co-tutoring. At the end of the course the student will receive two titles: Bachelor in Computer science from the University of Trento and the “Master of Science in Science Computer” granted by the Georgia Institute of Technology. ATLAS is financed from the European Community under the Atlantis program.
Program of double degree in Information Science and Technologies, in collaboration with the Advanced School S. Anna of Pisa. The students complete two semesters in Trento, two semesters in Pisa, and complete a thesis in co-tutoring. At the end of the course the students receive two degrees: the Bachelor in Computer science from the University of Trento and the Master in Communication and Computer Engineering granted by the Advanced School S. Anna of Pisa. Further details can be found on the specific web pages.Students participating in a double or joint degree with one or more partner universities can present a personal study plan satisfying the following rules:
24 credits must be related to topics related to the theory of computer science;42 credits must be related to one of the five specializations listed in this document;
18-30 credits can be free-choice;6 credits must be dedicated to “internato” (internship or stage);
18-30 credits must be dedicated to the final thesis.The detailed rules of the double and joint degrees are contained in the agreements between the University of Trento and the partner universities.
Job opportunities
The graduated in Computer Science can enter the work force by planning, organizing, developing, managing and maintaining informatics systems. For the most capable and determined students, in particular for who will continue with a doctorate, management careers will come available, because a solid competence on the principles of complexity and problems solving goes together with the ability to interact, of team-work and innovative proposals. Least but not last, individual capabilities are of the maximum importance: computer science is still a field where newly created innovative companies created by enterprising young people, often can top consolidated enterprises on time and quality.
With reference to the ISTAT professional opportunities list, the following professions can be undertaken by a Computer Science Graduated:2.3.1.1,3 – Informatics Technicians
2.1.1.4 - Informatics and telematics2.6.2.0 – Researchers, graduated technicians and similar
1.2.1.7 - Entrepreneurs and administrators of privately-owned companies servicing enterprises, banking sector and similar1.3.1.7 - Entrepreneurs, managers and person in charge of small enterprises in servicing enterprises, banking sector and similar
However, it is important to notice that this directory is constantly overtaken, as the Computer Science and Technologies development is in continuously rapid progress.
Further studies
The Master Degree in Computer Science gives the basis to access for the following Master Degrees: