Introduction
The Master of Science in Computer Science foresees the acquisition of knowledge, methodologies, and specialized computer technologies which will give the graduate student the opportunity to plan, design, to develop, to estimate, and to manage complex innovative systems for production, transmission, and processing of information.
The goal of the Master of Science in Computer Science is to train people to get to know the basic theoretical principals of the computer sciences, to be able to acquire specific knowledge in the macro-areas close to software technologies, systems and networks, multimedia, embedded systems, safety, and security engineering.
A strong drive toward Internationalization is one of the key factors that distinguish 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.
Program Overview
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.
A strong drive toward Internationalization is one of the key factors that distinguish Computer Science at UniTN. The Computer Science course offers the opportunity to enter the Double Degree Programme in the frame of the EIT Digital Master School; the student will spend one year in Italy and one year at the Partner University and, at the end of the program, he/she will obtain two Degrees recognized by both institutions and both Countries.
The educational offer is organized into two curricula, with different specialization areas:
Curriculum: “Computer Science and Technologies”
Areas:
Computational Foundations
Data Science
Bioinformatics
Software and Service Architectures
Systems and Networks
Curriculum: “ICT Innovation”
Areas:
Cyber Security
Software and Service Architectures
Data Science
Embedded Systems
FinanceTechnology
Human-Computer Interaction and Design
Courses
The Master of Science in Computer Science consists of 120 ECTS. It includes courses on the fundamentals of computer science (networking, the semantics of programming languages, formal languages, and automation, etc.) as well as courses on the selected area of specialization.
Students can complete their studies with “free choice” courses covering advanced topics in different areas of specialization. Practical training periods in industrial or research laboratories allow the student to apply the gained knowledge and assimilate various aspects linked to professional practice.
This program offers three different study paths focused on the following research field: Data Science, Service Design and Engineering, Systems, and Networks.
The program starts every year in September. The academic year is divided into two semesters: autumn semester (from September to January) and spring semester (from February to June). The periods between semesters are dedicated to examinations and holidays.
Awarded degree
Upon the successful completion of the curriculum and fulfillment of the Master’s course requirements (120 ECTS), students will be awarded a degree: Master of Science in Computer Science (in Italian - Laurea Magistrale in Informatica).
Credits required to complete the Master’s degree program in Computer Science: 120 ECTS
Notes: according to the Sorbonne (1988) and the Bologna (1999) declarations university-level study programs in the European Higher Education Area are structured in university credits (ECTS). A university credit corresponds to 25 hours of student workload, time for personal preparation included. The annual average workload for a full-time student is conventionally fixed at 60 credits.
Career Opportunities
The objective of the Master of Science in Computer Science is to form professionals and researchers with both theoretical and practical knowledge. Theory and lab classes rotate during all courses of study. That is the reason why the Computer Science graduated finds a job quickly (two 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 graduated in Computer Science can enter the workforce 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 in the principles of complexity and problem 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.
Further studies
The Master of Science in Computer Science gives the basis to access the ICT Doctoral School.
Admission
In order to be admitted to the two-year Master’s degree program in Computer Science applicants are required to follow the application procedures accurately.
For the next academic year, the University of Trento will admit to the Master’s degree program in Computer Science a maximum number of students equal to 105, 14 of which are offered to non-EU citizens living abroad.
25 positions are reserved for students admitted in the frame of the EIT-Digital Master School.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the Master in Computer Science it is necessary:
To have a first-level university degree in Computer Science or any related field awarded by any internationally recognized university along with a corresponding study plan which proves acquired basic knowledge and competencies as required in the call for admission and the Didact regulations (only in Italian). Applicants who have not yet graduated within the application deadline are required to provide a certificate of enrollment which includes the expected graduation date. Once selected, those applicants need to submit a copy of the degree certificate not later than June 30, 2021 (for non-EU students) and October 31, 2021 (for EU students) in order to be admitted to the Master’s degree program;
To have an upper-​intermediate level of English (Level B2), according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), proved by one of the English language certifications (please check the CLA website). Applicants who have received a degree awarded by any internationally recognized university whose official teaching language is English have to submit a written statement issued by their university stating that English is the official teaching language. Citizens from an English-speaking country and/or who have graduated in an English-speaking country do not have to submit any English language certificates, but only a self-declaration attesting their status.
EU citizens and non-EU citizens resident in Italy, who have not yet the required level of English within the application deadline, are asked to declare the expected date in which they will achieve the required level of English (B2) and to submit a copy of the corresponding English language certificate before the enrollment in the Master’s degree program.
