Educational objectives
The analysis, design and maintenance of IT systems requires wide-ranging scientific knowledge in key areas of information engineering (electronics, automation, telecommunications), accompanied by thorough technological and methodological expertise in the main areas specific to computing. Moreover the computer engineering students need a solid grounding in basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry) providing the tools and scientific methods... More...
The analysis, design and maintenance of IT systems requires wide-ranging scientific knowledge in key areas of information engineering (electronics, automation, telecommunications), accompanied by thorough technological and methodological expertise in the main areas specific to computing.
Moreover the computer engineering students need a solid grounding in basic sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry) providing the tools and scientific methods to ensure a rigorous approach to engineering problems.
The BSc degree programme has a single core curriculum that provides students with basic engineering concepts and thorough knowledge of the main characteristics of information processing systems, for both hardware and software components. In particular, the courses cover the basic principles of computers and computer systems, problems encountered in the design and integration of hardware and software, and advanced aspects of operating systems, programming languages, techniques and methods of software engineering, and principles and technologies for modeling, designing and managing databases.
The first year, shared among all engineering courses, covers basic topics in mathematics, physics, chemistry and IT, supplemented by English. The second year provides a common knowledge base in the field of information engineering regarding electrical engineering, electronics, advanced architecture and programming of computer systems, along with completion of basic training in mathematics and physics.
The third year focuses on the specific contents of IT engineering, integrated with topics of electronics, telecommunications and automation. Focus is placed on application problems and in-depth studies specific to information processing systems, with study of the theoretical and practical aspects of operating systems, design and management of databases, and design of software and computer networks. During the third year students can choose to do an internship in a company.
Given the large presence of students from other nations, lectures are held in Italian and English. It is also possible to attend courses abroad and obtain double degrees, under agreements with universities in other countries.
Students can follow the educational programme in Italian or English.
The competence of the engineer is not limited to knowledge, but includes knowing how to apply the knowledge gained. Many courses include laboratory activities with experiments in the use of data processing equipment (calculators) or electronic equipment (oscilloscopes, signal generators, etc.)
Basic computer laboratories are flanked by advanced laboratories focused on knowledge and management of major operating systems (both proprietary and open source) and common applicative software.
There will also be seminars and presentation days for businesses in the IT sector, and visits to companies. After graduating, bachelor-level engineers can enter employment directly or continue their studies with a MSc degree.
The natural continuation of a degree in Computer Engineering is the MSc programme in Computer Engineering (in Italian and English), which allows the student to explore more advanced topics.
Career opportunities
Everyone is aware that the explosion of information technologies has now permeated every aspect of our lives. The BSc course in Computer Engineering aims to form technicians who can utilise and innovate tools of information and communication technologies (ICT) using a typical engineering approach to address issues common to a very broad spectrum of applications. This engineering approach, combining theoretical and applicative aspects, characteris... More...
The themes that characterise the computer engineer's training range from the development of computer systems for businesses, to automation in industry and services, multimedia applications, robotics, intelligent systems and the development of telematics systems.
The training enables graduates to interact with specialists in all engineering fields, in particular with other information professionals, but also specialists in the economic-management area and all those who increasingly use these technologies, such as doctors and lawyers.
The information skills taught during the programme include the basic principles of the architecture of computers and computing systems, problems related to the design and integration of hardware and software systems in modern information processing systems, and extensive knowledge of operating systems, programming languages, techniques and methods of software engineering, principles and technologies for modeling, designing and managing databases.
The increasing spread of computer applications is constantly widening the field of applications of information technology engineering, making this professional figure among the most sought after on the labor market.
Thanks to the close integration of theoretical knowledge and practical experience that characterises their training, computer engineers fit easily into all businesses, organisations and institutions that use computer systems and networks as part of their production and management processes or that make IT products: manufacturers, public administration, public utilities, banks and finance companies, and commercial firms. In these areas graduates can find roles managing computer labs and corporate information systems, they can operate in promotion, sales, and technical support activites, or they can enter free-lance professional practice.
The programme consists in a single educational path with the goal of globally forming the computer engineer for the different professional profiles described in the following table.
| The Study program qualifies the following professional profile/s: | Roles and skills: |
| Hardware Systems designer | JOB ROLES:
Mainly deals with the systems and hardware (e.g. embedded systems, computers, networks, servers, etc.). The main roles of a computer engineer who deals with hardware systems are: - management of system item development - evaluation of the alternatives in the procurement of ICT goods and services, - definition of computer system inventories, - HW configuration . SKILLS RELATED TO THE ROLE: A Computer Engineer combines his knowledge of various ICT related fields: more specifically, he can integrate his knowledge of systems and hardware, HW architecture, software programming, firmware and operating systems. - compare offers from different vendors, evaluating them from a technical standpoint, - supervising the maintenance of a computer system, - overseeing the programming of the system firmware and hardware drivers, - design simple processors for embedded systems. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: ICT departments of medium to large companies. ICT consulting companies. |
| Analyst and designer of application and system software | JOB ROLES:
An Engineer who deals with software applications (databases, business applications, web applications, etc.). The main roles are: - coordination of software development activities, - definition of requirements & specifications, - production of system documentation, - ICT system start-up. SKILLS RELATED TO THE ROLE: The computer engineer applies his knowledge of programming paradigms, object-oriented programming, algorithms and advanced data structures, the design of databases and query languages, and the architecture of operating systems in order to: - acquire specific expertise on an application, - write a user manual, - Interact with potential customers in order to define the design specifications of the application and system software - Interact with the project designers in order to verify the adequacy of the application to the project specifications and possibly suggest improvements - supervise the installation and maintenance of an application program - coordinate the technical programmers for the development of a software or system application programs CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: ICT departments of medium to large companies. ICT and non ICT consulting companies Software development companies |
| Network Systems Administrator | JOB ROLES:
Engineer in charge of computer networks. His main functions are: - analyst / designer of computer networks and network applications, - supervisor of the creation/installation and maintenance of computer networks. SKILLS RELATED TO THE ROLE: The computer engineer working as a network systems administrator puts into practice his basic ICT knowledge jointly with specific knowledge on network technologies (architecture, protocols, languages, hardware and software), in order to: - analyse and design company ICT networks - analyse, develop and design software systems that operate on Internet (or intranet) - interact with potential customers in order to illustrate the technical features of a computer network - Interact with the project designers in order to verify the adequacy of the network system to the project specifications and possibly suggest improvements - supervise the installation and maintenance of a network of computers. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: ICT departments of medium to large companies. ICT consulting companies. |
| Qualifications for further studies | Knowledge required to continue studies |
The Computer Engineer's background covers a wide spectrum of technological topics ranging from the development of software to the management of computer networks and databases, to the design of hardware and control systems.
The subjects contained in the study program are divided in learning areas and defined by the "Dublin descriptors" shown in the chart on panel A4b - expected learning outcomes.
