Bachelor in Computer science

The Computer Science course has a single branch of study, where students can acquire experimental and applied theories and methodologies in the fundamental areas of Computer Science. Such knowledge forms the conceptual and technological basis for the design, organisation and management of large software systems. Students will acquire skills that could be useful not only for industries in the area of information systems and networking, but also in public administrations and, more in general, in all the organisations making use of IT technologies.

The course also allows students to obtain specific skills related to (i) the maintenance and evolution of software systems; (ii) geographic information systems; and (iii) computer security. Knowledge and skills about the maintenance and evolution of software systems play an important role in modern societies. It is estimated that the maintenance cost of a software system exceed by more than 50% the development cost. The acquired skills will allow students to (i) design software systems that are easily to be extended; and (ii) effectively plan maintenance activities on critical and large software systems. Emphasis will also be given to the migration of “legacy systems” towards new technologies, namely web and mobile technologies. In the context of the course, a fundamental role is also played by computer security. Besides knowledge on how to design and implement defensive solutions through firewalls and intruder detectors, the course will also provide students with knowledge on creating preventive solutions through technology intelligence.

All the acquired skills will allow students to implement solutions that can identify dangers and threats in the context of information flows that characterize communication infrastructure, such as the World Wide Web.

Finally, the course will also provide students with knowledge about legal aspects of computer applications and computer crimes. Nowadays, legal informatics plays a key role in the processing of sensitive data. Summarising, the course aims at training the following professionals: software analysts, software engineers, data administrators, database designers and administrators, and networking designers and administrators.

Area of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire knowledge on and understanding of basic elements of Mathematics, Physics and Statistics. These skills are essential to achieve the other learning objectives of the course. Specifically, Computer Science graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge on and understanding of

• scientific language and methodologies;
• basic mathematical elements;
• linear algebra and geometry tools;
• historical and epistemological mathematical elements;
• physical phenomena;
• basic elements of statistics;
• evolution, from the physical and electronic point of view, of the automatic calculation;
• statistical methods of machine learning;
• numerical methods.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Computer Science graduates will use the acquired knowledge to achieve the following goals:

• formalize and solve a mathematical problem;
• study and describe a physical phenomenon with scientific rigor;
• use a specific machine learning technique for the design of a decision support system;
• design and implement mathematical algorithms for the efficient resolution of scientific computational problems.

Area of Computer Science Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire knowledge on and understanding of conceptual foundations of Computer Science. These skills are essential to acquire more specific knowledge and professional skills. In particular, Computer Science graduates will demonstrate knowledge on and understanding of

• fundamental principles of Computer Science, related to programming languages, algorithms and systems;
• database management;
• methods and tools for the development of software systems;
• methods for the maintenance and the evolution of software systems;
• software development technologies;
• architecture of modern computer networks;
• artificial intelligence methods and tools;
• geographic information systems.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Graduates will use the acquired knowledge to analyse, design and develop a software system. In particular, Computer Science graduates will be able to

• understand the feasibility and complexity of Computer Science problems and select appropriate methods for their analysis and design;
• formalize real problems where the computer is part of the solution, and identify appropriate solution patterns;
• apply appropriate methodologies both for the development of new software systems and the maintenance of existing ones;
• apply techniques and tools for the migrations of legacy systems towards new technologies, namely web and mobile technologies;
• design user interfaces of software applications that meet usability standards;
• evaluate and design computer systems security solutions;
• exploit artificial intelligence techniques to solve complex problems;
• design and implement a geographic information system.

Area of Legal Informatics Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire knowledge on and understanding of legal aspect related to Compute Science. Such knowledge is nowadays fundamental to properly manage sensitive data. Specifically, Computer Science graduates will be able to demonstrate knowledge on and understanding of

• regulations related to information technology;
• general principles relating to data processing.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Graduates will use the acquired knowledge to properly manage legal aspects related to the development of a software system. In particular, Computer Science graduates will be able to

• apply information technology in compliance with the related regulations;
• manage sensitive data according to the related regulations;
• apply appropriate measures for the security of sensitive data.

Making judgements. Students will acquire knowledge on how to collect and interpret data aiming at formulating a subjective judgement. This relates to the ability of graduates to combine and abstract their technical skills to solve problems that include aspects in a wide technological context. The graduates will be able to use appropriate methods aiming at usefully immerge themself in a professional context. In particular, Computer Science graduates will demonstrate

• ability to manage both theory and practice to solve Computer Science problems;
• understanding the state-of-the-art of technologies in their area of expertise and their applications;
• skills related to professional responsibilities and legal regulations related to information technology.

In the context of the course, such capabilities are acquired during Computer Science specific courses and additional activities, with particular reference to the courses of software engineering, computer security, geographic information systems, and legal informatics.

Communication. Students will acquire knowledge on how to communicate with specialists and non-specialists, honing the professional skills needed to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions. In particular, Computer Science graduates will demonstrate ability to

• work effectively as an individual and as a member of a working group;
• communicate effectively with colleagues and potential users about issues and problems related to their area of expertise;
• present ideas and suggest convincingly solutions in both written and oral forms;
• use effectively, in written and oral forms, at least one European language – other than Italian - in the specific field of expertise and to exchange general information.

In the context of the course, such capabilities are acquired during computer science specific courses, especially those having laboratory sessions that include the development, in working groups, of software projects. Communication skills are also acquired by students in the English course.

Lifelong learning skills. Students will acquire not only abilities to learn, but also (and more important) abilities to apply the acquired knowledge, starting to orientate in a theoretical and/or professional context that complements the training course completed. In particular, Computer Science graduates will demonstrate ability to

• set up and properly solve new theoretical and applied problems;
• respond positively to the various work assignments entrusted as part of internship/working experience;
• hone skills autonomously choosing additional areas of learning.

In the content of the course, such capabilities (and the refinement of such skills) are acquired during specific activities chosen by students, as well as through experiences of internship.

The Course in Computer Science offers the knowledge of methods and techniques for the development of IT systems and applications, together with the basic culture necessary for the graduated in order to adapt to the continuous evolution of the discipline. Particularly, the Course aims at educating students that

• have a good basic knowledge and broad spectrum of skills in several areas of Computer Science, focused on the application in analysis, design, development and management of IT systems, ranging in a broad array of application domains;
• have familiarity with the scientific method of investigation, good modelling skills;
• can understand and use mathematical instruments supporting IT skills;
• speak English and Italian in the specific area of expertise and for the exchange of generic information;
• can work in team and independently, and insert promptly in the working environment.

Therefore, the Course wants to educate a figure able to carry out technical/operational tasks and professional activities related to the analysis, design, management, maintenance, marketing of IT systems. Such knowledge will allow graduates to immediately enter in the job market both in manufacturing companies in IT systems and networks and in enterprises, in Public Administrations and, generally, in all the organisations that use IT systems.

Therefore, the main market segments involved are industries, enterprises, service societies, banks, Public Administrations, above all in sectors, which involve IT and communication.

Chair of the Computer science program
Prof. Rocco Oliveto  

Contact person for the Erasmus+ program
Prof. Stefano Ricciardi