Corso di laurea in Engineering and Computer Science

The employment opportunities and professional activities of the Master of Science in Engineering and Computer Science are those of a computer expert with specific professional knowledge, oriented to targeted sectors of computer science, who are able to deal within a company, research and development of innovative products and processes, organization of laboratories, product development and also business organization. The graduate in Engineering and Computer Science will be able to follow and predict new trends in the field of applied research to identify and develop research and / or technology transfer strategies. The preparation provided will allow to operate in full autonomy and to carry out high level consultancy activities in the field of planning, management and operation of complex IT systems with wide autonomy, also taking on responsibility for projects and structures. The course prepares the typical ICT professions and in particular the professional figures who fall within the ISTAT classification of IT and Telematic, Engineers and computer designers, as reported below:

• 2.1.1.4.1 - Analysts and software designers
• 2.1 .1.4.2 - System analysts
• 2.1.1.4.3 - Analysts and web application designers
• 2.1.1.5.1 - Network and IT communications specialists
• 2.1.1.5.3 - System administrators
• 2.1.1.5.4 - Security specialists computer science
• 2.2.1.4.2 - Computer engineers and peripherals.

The Master of Science in Engineering and Computer Science aims to complete the didactic-cultural paths started with the three-year degrees in classes L-8 and L-31, and to train IT professionals with specific skills and design skills. The development of the course with an inter-class method allows to establish a stronger and more fruitful interaction between the disciplinary areas pertaining to the two classes and an enrichment of the themes related to the modern approach of creating and managing complex IT systems. Master's degrees will obtain skills in: analysis and formalization of complex problems, in various application contexts; design and development of high quality algorithms and IT systems, including innovative ones, for their solution; design in areas related to information technology, in the sectors of industry, services, environment, health, cultural heritage and public administration. The course aims to provide skills in:

• distributed systems, with particular reference to cloud computing and resource sharing, and to the configuration and management of calculation systems adaptable to user needs;
• wireless systems and internet of things, acquisition of skills for the management and analysis of big data generated by objects connected on the Internet;
• multimedia systems, focusing in particular on issues relating to the web;
• theoretical-scientific aspects of mathematics and other basic sciences and the ability to use this knowledge to interpret and describe complex problems and / or that require an interdisciplinary approach; Document approved by: Council for the Degree Course in Engineering and Computer Science: Meeting of 20 June 2019 Department of Engineering Council: Meeting of 20 June 2019
• theoretical-scientific aspects of engineering, both in general and in depth in relation to those computer engineering, and the ability to identify, formulate and solve complex problems and / or that require an interdisciplinary approach in an innovative way;
• conception, planning, design and management of complex and / or innovative systems, processes and services, with particular reference to distributed information systems, computer networks and the production and management of multimedia data;
• design and management of highly complex experiments.

The course of study is mainly delivered in English. This choice also has the aim of facilitating the insertion of graduates in an international job market. Among the activities that master's degree graduates will be able to carry out are: the analysis and formalization of complex problems, in various application contexts, the design and development of high quality algorithms and IT systems, including innovative ones, for their solution; design in areas related to information technology, in the sectors of industry, services, the environment, health, cultural heritage and public administration.
The choice of subjects to be included in the various areas allows the student of the Master's Degree Program to create well-defined training courses, in which to enhance both computer engineering and information science skills. In particular, specialist courses will be offered on:

• computer and communication networks; in this context, students are trained in the design of networks, focusing in particular on security issues;
• distributed systems with particular reference to cloud computing and resource sharing, learning to configure and manage computer systems that can be adapted to user needs;
• wireless and internet of things, acquiring skills for the management and analysis of big data generated by objects connected on the Internet;
• multimedia systems, in particular related to web-related issues. The employment opportunities and professional activities of the Master of Science in Engineering and Computer Science are those of a computer expert with specific professional knowledge, oriented to targeted sectors of computer science, who are able to deal within a company, research and development of innovative products and processes, organization of laboratories, product development and also business organization.

The graduate in Engineering and Computer Science will be able to follow and predict new trends in the field of applied research to identify and develop research and / or technology transfer strategies. The preparation provided will allow to operate in full autonomy and to carry out high level consultancy activities in the field of planning, management and operation of complex IT systems with wide autonomy, also taking on responsibility for projects and structures.

The course prepares the typical professions of ICT and in particular the professional figures who fall within the ISTAT classification of IT and Telematics, Engineers designers of computers and their peripherals, as shown below:

• 2.1.1.4.1 - Analysts and software designers
• 2.1 .1.4.2 - System analysts
• 2.1.1.4.3 - Analysts and web application designers
• 2.1.1.5.1 - Network and IT communications specialists
• 2.1.1.5.3 - System administrators
• 2.1.1.5.4 - Security specialists computer science
• 2.2.1.4.2 - Computer engineers and peripherals.

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.