The Degree Programme offers a curriculum that trains for the following professions:
Computer systems software designer:
this role involves the participation in and/or coordination of all activities involved in the design of complex software systems.
In particular:
- investigates and develops methods for problem solving, promotes the use of advanced technologies for the modelling and development of applications;
- uses the main programming environments and structured programming ruls and objects to develop complex applications;
- develops new operative techniques and support tools for design, managing the impact of their concrete application;
- designs and participates in the implementation of computer systems (also through process re-engineering) according to set functional specifications, system constraints and design guidelines;
- designs and participates in the implementation of knowledge-based systems to solve complex problems using artificial intelligence techniques;
- designs and participates in the implementation of concurrent and distributed applications to solve complex problems in both operating systems and other applications;
- designs and participates in the implementation of even highly complex network services and applications in distributed and heterogeneous scenarios;
- designs and implements logistics and supply chain support systems;
- organises and plans the activities for the implementation, testing, verification of the performance of software systems, managing the review and development of prototype solutions;
- documents, controls and certifies software production processes.
Research and innovative development technician:
this role involves the implementation of theoretical and experimental investigations in various computing sectors in industries, research centres and training institutes. In particular:
- carries out research on technologies, products, regulations and patents;
- promotes and participates in national and international research projects;
- promotes technological innovation processes in companies, based on the results of experiments and research activities;
- defines, organises and carries out laboratory experiments and gathers and critically interprets the obtained data.
Computer infrastructure designer:
participates and/or coordinates all activities involved in the design and implementation of both complex general purpose platforms and embedded systems satisfying specific application requirements. In particular:
- designs complex architectures using advanced processors and components;
- identifies efficient solutions and executes the logical design of functional units for the satisfaction of special application requirements, managing the impact of their integration in complex architectures.
Industrial machinery, plant and process automation technician: participates and/or coordinates all activities involved in the design of automation hardware systems. In particular:
- defines the architecture, functional units and network infrastructure required for the implementation of complex distributed control systems;
- designs and implements software components for general use;
- designs and participates in the implementation of hardware systems for real-time data acquisition and processing;
- designs and participates in the implementation of supervision systems for the automatic management of diagnostic information and production data.
Large-scale computer systems construction technician:
- defines system design and development processes, coordinating and managing work units, activities and products;
- determines the fundamental principles for managing complexity and the techniques for tackling large-scale problems;
- selects the methods, technologies and standards for development, defining spheres of action and assuring effective integration;
- designs the architecture, functional components and communication and coordination components of the system, as well as their topological distribution;
- participates extensively in the development and control of large system properties, applying advanced techniques to manage complexity;
- identifies innovative solutions to problems of high complexity, also based on the most recent scientific literature.
Computer systems and web applications designer:
manages both the technologies used to implement complex web applications and those used to manage large quantities of data. These competences, associated with the knowledge of design methodologies and requirements, allow his to work as analyst or designer for the implementation of complex computer systems development projects and web applications involving high levels of system-user interaction (web 2.0). May hold managerial positions in data centres in large corporations, in charge of the supervision of computer projects, computer development plans and the technological choices made by the company.
Systems designer for image processing and artificial vision:
has gained the skills required to develop advanced techniques and algorithms for image processing and object recognition. Can participate (as designer) in the development of new (automatic or semi-assisted) tools or specific techniques for solving real artificial vision problems. Can hold managerial roles in the medical, biomedical, astronomic, environmental sectors and work in industrial concerns that develop automatic control systems and quality inspection systems, recognition-based security systems, video-surveillance, automatic vehicle driving , satellite image analysis, robotics, etc.
Career opportunities for graduates of this degree programme lie in all areas of the modern technological society, and in particular in outsourced software development and design businesses, manufacturing and tertiary sectors, industrial automation companies, process industries, the civil service, research and training institutes, or as freelance professionals,. Computer engineers put their skills to use in the processes of innovation and development underway in all organisations that have to implement restructuring plans based also on the integration of advanced computer technologies. More specifically, these professional skills are functional to the following career opportunities:
- industries producing and/or using computer components and systems;
- computer systems services companies and centres;
- suppliers of structures and services for IT networks and systems;
- suppliers of Internet computing and Web infrastructure services;
- software engineering companies;
- companies working in industrial automation and robotics;
- process industries in the mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, energy and chemical sectors;
- industrial research and development laboratories;
- technical departments of public administrations using IT infrastructure to manage internal and public services;
- training institutes;
- research centres.
With explicit reference to the type of businesses working in the Emilia-Romagna region, the career opportunities available for graduates in one of the highest concentrations of small and medium enterprises in the country is of great interest. The Emilia Romagna Region generally has an extremely advanced industrial system with a strong international vocation. The regional system is also characterised by highly developed traditional and advanced services structures, both in the private sector and within the civil service. The skills developed during the 2nd cycle degree programme in Computer Science and Computer Engineering are particularly requested and appreciated not only in the specific industrial sector, including computer consulting and software engineering companies, but also in a wider technological area covering electrical and electronics businesses, energy management, as well as chemical, civil and food processing sectors. Of particular relevance is the industrial automation sector, and specifically the automatic packaging machine manufacturers (which are so numerous that the Emilia-Romagna region has earned the international nick-name of "Packaging Valley").
The degree programme project has been submitted to selected external stakeholders in order to receive their opinions and feedbacks on the learning outcomes and the professional profiles.
