Corso di laurea in Engineering and Computer Science

The Master of Engineering in Computer Science (class LM32) aims to complete the educational and cultural pathways started with the Bachelor's degrees in classes L-8 and L-31 and to train computer engineering professionals with specific skills and design capabilities.
Among the skills that the Master's graduates will acquire are particularly indicated:
- The analysis and formalization of complex problems in various application contexts;
- The design and development of algorithms, cyber-physical systems, and secure, intelligent, heterogeneous high-quality computer systems, also of an innovative type;
- Strong interdisciplinary knowledge to successfully address problems and experiments requiring competences from other fields such as mathematics, automatic control, and engineering;
- Communication and leadership skills.

Admission to the course is granted to students with a Bachelor's Degree who have acquired competences in the fields of computer engineering or computer science, as well as basic competences in scientific disciplines such as physics and mathematics.
The teaching committee evaluates the enrollment requests to verify the fulfillment of the cultural requirements required at the beginning of the academic year.
The subjects provided in the study plan allow the student of the Master's Degree Program to enhance competences in the field of complex and heterogeneous computer systems.
In particular, advanced courses belonging to the curriculum are available on:
- Techniques of artificial intelligence and machine learning;
- Issues related to the security of computer systems;
- Distributed systems with particular reference to cloud computing and resource sharing;
- Cyber-physical systems, also acquiring skills for the management and analysis of data generated by IoT devices;
- Formal methods for the evaluation of performance and reliability of systems;
- Optimization techniques and identification of processes and industrial systems.

Students of the Master's Degree Program in Engineering in Computer Science also have the opportunity to carry out internships or stages at companies and research institutions affiliated with the University of Messina in the field of Computer Engineering in various application fields.

The course of study is entirely delivered in English.
The competences acquired during the course of study will also allow the pursuit of studies in Doctoral programmes, both in Italy and abroad, in the area of Information Engineering and Informatics.
Students enrolled in the Master's Degree Program in Engineering in Computer Science have the opportunity to follow educational activities at foreign universities and recognized in the educational pathway thanks to participation in the Erasmus+ program and the agreements signed within the same by the University.

Admission to the Master's Degree in Engineering and Computer Science requires:
- possession of a three-year bachelor's degree or a university diploma or equivalent qualification of three years' duration, obtained anywhere in Italy, or another qualification obtained abroad, recognized as suitable and included in the study plan;
- a minimum of 30 credits (ECTS) from the following scientific-disciplinary fields: MAT/02; MAT/03; MAT/05; MAT/07; FIS/01;
- a minimum of 40 credits (ECTS) from the following scientific-disciplinary fields: INGINF/ 01; ING-INF/04; ING-INF/05; INF/01.
This requirement is automatically met for three-year graduates in Classes L-8 and L-31.
Adequate student preparation is also required, which will be assessed according to the methods indicated in the Course Regulations.
Finally, basic knowledge of the English language, at a level no lower than B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR), is a prerequisite for successful course attendance.
The methods for assessing foreign language proficiency are defined in the Course Regulations.

The Master's Degree in Engineering in Computer Science aims to train computer engineering professionals with specific skills and design capabilities, completing the educational and cultural paths begun with the bachelor's degrees in the L-8 and L-31 classes.
The program aims to develop knowledge and skills in interpreting and solving typical computer engineering problems, which often require a multidisciplinary approach. Furthermore, it aims to prepare students to successfully undertake advanced training programs, such as master's degrees or PhDs.

The Master's Degree in Engineering in Computer Science provides a set of skills that derive from a careful integration of knowledge from disciplines in the core and related fields.
These skills are acquired through the achievement of the following educational objectives:

- broad-based training in the operation and design methodologies of information processing systems;
- strong analytical and problem-solving skills to analyze and solve complex problems in various application contexts, using structured and interdisciplinary approaches;
- solid management and leadership skills to drive technological innovation in IT processes and products with autonomy and a holistic vision;
- strong design skills in algorithms, cyber-physical systems, and heterogeneous, intelligent, and secure IT systems adapted to the specific needs of industrial, service, and public administration sectors;
- strong interdisciplinary knowledge, acquiring knowledge not only in IT but also in other related fields, such as mathematics, automatic control, and engineering, to successfully tackle problems and experiments that require a holistic approach;
- communication skills (including English) and lifelong learning skills necessary to clearly and effectively communicate work results and to be able to learn independently, keeping one's knowledge up-to-date in a constantly evolving job market;
- the ability to work with a high degree of autonomy and professional ethics, including assuming responsibility for projects and structures.

The training program is structured into semesters that include a thoughtful rotation of various training activities, both specific and related to the disciplines of distributed and heterogeneous cyber-physical systems and intelligent, reliable, and secure systems. The program is also enriched by optional specialization courses that aim to provide additional skills to complement the professional profile.
Each training activity is delivered with a careful balance of delivery methods (lectures, classroom and/or laboratory exercises, and individual study).

Internships play a key role in the curriculum, allowing students to spend part of their studies at companies that have signed agreements with the University of Messina, thus gaining insight into the challenges facing the world of work.
Finally, the thesis preparation process will be supported by a supervisor and a co- supervisor (who may be external) and will allow students to put their acquired knowledge into practice and demonstrate their mastery of skills and the degree of autonomy they have achieved.
The program is taught entirely in English. This choice depends heavily on the scientific and technological context of the program itself and the desire to facilitate graduates' entry into an international job market.

Expert in the design, management and maintenance of complex and heterogeneous IT systems

Work roles:

The primary professional role of the professional trained by the Degree Programme is that of an IT expert with specific engineering and professional knowledge, focused on specific IT sectors, who is able to manage the research and development of innovative products and processes, laboratory organization, and business organization. They must also be able to follow and anticipate new technological trends to identify and develop research and/or technology transfer strategies. Their training should enable them to operate fully independently and perform high-level consulting activities in the design, management, and operation of complex IT systems.
Within the workplace, this professional figure may assume a variety of roles of responsibility and/or high qualifications, including, but not limited to:
- Expert or manager of IT product and/or process management
- Expert or manager of IT systems design
- Expert or manager of Research and Development in IT engineering
- Expert or manager of IT systems and technological infrastructure management

Aquired technical skills:

To perform the above functions, graduates of the Master's Degree in Engineering in Computer Science must:
- possess a solid understanding of the theoretical and applied aspects of the core fields of computer engineering;
- have a thorough understanding of the scientific method of investigation and apply engineering principles to the design, management, and maintenance of computer and cyber-physical systems;
- understand the fundamentals, techniques, and methods for designing and implementing heterogeneous computer systems;
- be able to adopt principles, formal methods, and technological innovations for the design and optimization of secure and autonomous systems;
- understand the main data analysis and machine learning methodologies;
- have knowledge of various application fields;
- be able to work with considerable autonomy, including assuming responsibility for projects and structures.

Career opportunities:

The career opportunities available to graduates of the Master's Degree in Engineering in Computer Science include: production innovation and development, advanced design, planning and programming, and complex systems management (with specific attention to reliability, performance, and safety requirements), both in freelance work and in manufacturing or service companies, as well as in public administration.
Thanks to the ability to identify, formulate, and innovatively solve complex problems that often require a multidisciplinary approach, Master's Degree graduates in Engineering in Computer Science will have a wide range of career opportunities, including coordination responsibilities and highly diverse tasks. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to pursue freelance work in both design and industrial consulting.

Master's degree graduates will therefore be able to find employment in IT industries operating in the fields of hardware and software production; automation and robotics industries; companies operating in the area of information systems and computer networks; service companies; research centers; and public administration IT centers.
They will also be able to work as freelancers.
The program's delivery in English will facilitate graduates' entry into the international market, thus making the graduate professional profile even more attractive to companies.
The training received will also allow them to continue their studies in doctoral programs in the areas of computer science and information engineering, both in Italy and abroad.