Course Description
With the spread of information technologies into contemporary lifestyles and into many different professional contexts, it is evident how important is to meet the growing demand for high-qualified learning programs for the development and project of effective and innovative IT solutions.
The Master in Computer Science responds to this need and represents an important opportunity of vocational training on: development/implementation of information systems architecture; development, management and maintenance of business databases; implementation of guidelines for software development; knowledge and implementation of policies for the security and reliability of systems and the web.
A student is granted a Master’s degree after successfully defending his or her final thesis in front of a panel of judges. Grading is based on a scale of 0-110; 66 is the passing grade and students who obtain full marks of 110 may also be awarded ‘summa cum laude’ (110 e lode).
The final thesis of the Master’s program, intended to assess the technical, scientific and professional preparation and competences of the student, requires the completion, discussion and presentation of a written project work during the dissertation.
The MCS degree program consists of four modules: Computer networks (12CFU/ 9 quarter credits), Database (12CFU/ 9 quarter credits), Software engineering (18CFU/ 13.5 quarter credits) and Security (12CFU/ 9 quarter credits).
Module 1 – Computer networks – MCS_E_M1
CFU/ECTS 12 – US QC 9
The module allows you to have in depth knowledge of computer and telecommunication networks. A description of the layers will be given: physical, data links and the network and transport of the OSI model. Furthermore, the features of the main systems used in geographical areas will be described such as telephone networks and cell phone systems, as well as metropolitan areas such as WiMax where protocols and structures will be explained. Lastly, the functioning of IPv6 will be considered.
Module 2 – Database – MCS_E_M2
CFU/ECTS 12 – US QC 9
The module aims to present the system characteristics, their architecture and the principles that they aspire to, based on database technology and in particular on the relational ones. They deal with the application design point of view and, in addition, the systems for data management, interrogation languages and design methodologies will be studied on the databases themselves. They will deal with automatic information retrieval systems from heterogeneous and distributed sources by giving the skills needed to understand the processes and techniques of information processing which characterize today’s search engines and their applications. Particular emphasis will be given to automatic learning technologies which allow for the rapid development of systems based on the reutilization of data and available knowledge in electronic format within open sources.
Module 3 – Software Engineering – MCS_E_M3
CFU/ECTS 18 – US QC 13,5
The module’s objective is to understand the more advanced aspects of object oriented programming by using Java as the language of reference. The software industrial production process will be defined, by highlighting the lifecycle of the software product from the requirements stage to the implementation and integration stage according to the most modern object oriented methodologies. The knowledge for the analysis, design and quality software systems implementation will be given, by focusing on the description of the software development stages. Furthermore, the methodologies developed for complex problem analysis will be described in order to evaluate the complexity of each approach and to identify the structures and strategies to resolve them.
Module 4 – Security – MCS_E_M4
CFU/ECTS 18 – US QC 13,5
The module intends to give the know how in order to understand the different aspects in which we articulate the theme of security in computing systems. The technical aspects relating to cryptography, system and network security will be dealt with, as well as the managerial and normative point of view. The capacity of dealing with the digital signals which must be transmitted remotely or stored on a device will be considered, whose purpose is to reduce redundancy and increase the probability of correct information retrieval after the transmission or storage.
Learning Objectives
The Master enables students to project, develop, create, manage and maintain business information systems and is specifically focused on the physical structure of the information network.
Moreover, the Master provides students with the basics in the field of the development of software and the management of business databases, web applications and mobile technology.
Outcomes and Professional Profile
The Master in Computer Science intends to form high-skilled professionals able to work in public and private organizations worldwide as business information systems managers.