MSc in Computer and Systems Engineering

Computer and Systems Engineering

Department: Information Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics

Level: Master's

Class: LM32

Admission typology: Open admission with assessment of personal competencies and skills

Internationalization: International degree course

The Master’s degree in Computer and Systems Engineering is aimed at training professional figures with solid competencies in Information Engineering, able to understand, manage, and contribute to innovation in the fields of information processing systems and automation systems, and able to work confidently in the international context.

The graduates in this Course of Study must have knowledge of the main, also advanced, methodologies and technologies, in order to correctly describe and model engineering problems that require computer- and system-based solutions. Since the ability to formulate problems in a rigorous way through the most appropriate mathematical models is crucially important, 9 – 15 ECTS of applied mathematics have been included in the Course of Study. In order to understand the various issues related to Computer Engineering (Information and Communication Technology), the Course of Study has inserted 18 – 27 ECTS of Engineering related subjects.

Furthermore, thanks to 12 ECTS of free-choice modules, students can deepen the engineering themes that interest them most. The necessary knowledge and competencies to understand and analyse computer- and system-based solutions to engineering problems are given by a large number of teaching programs belonging to distinctive disciplinary sectors (from 45 to 63 ECTS). Furthermore, students have the possibility to choose various professional courses, up to a maximum of 12 ECTS, held by business professionals, during which the acquired understanding skills are tested, especially on specific business themes.

The achievement of knowledge and understanding skills is assessed homogeneously in the framework of all the tests and examinations provided for by the teaching modules of the course of study.

From the Academic Year 2021/2022 it is also active a curriculum inElectric Vehicle Propulsion and Control (E-PiCo). It is is a 2-year Master curriculum within the Master’s Program in Computer and Systems Engineering at the University of L’Aquila. Information on the call can be fount at this link.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The graduates in this Course of Study will be able to apply the acquired knowledge to achieve the following objectives:

• formulate real problems through mathematical models and identify the most appropriate one for the problem concerned (static or dynamic, stochastic or deterministic, continuous or discrete models);
• Requirements analysis on automation and control systems, and assessment of compliance with requirements and specifications;
• Design and implementation of estimation and control systems;
• Mathematical modeling of physical systems for the simulation and verification of control algorithms, with particular reference to industrial robots;
• Hardware and software implementation of power generation control and industrial automation systems;
• identify and use problem solving algorithms, define and assess innovative algorithms;
• Ability to analyse and design effective algorithms and data structures;
• Analysis and design skills in the context of modern software development lifecycle (iterative, incremental, evolutionary) and advanced tools for software development/management/maintenance;
• Analysis design and maintenance of complex software architectures/systems (business systems, systems on web, mobile systems, geographical information systems, complex database systems);
• Design of interactive computer systems and brain-computer interfaces;
• Analysis and design of embedded hardware/software systems.

These objectives are achieved thanks to the methodological fundamentals given by both theory-based teaching modules, and project activities provided for by some teaching modules that conclude with a practical test, in which students must carry out a project activity, within a work group, that provides for the realization or a computer-based simulation of algorithms, complex software systems (based on different types of architectures), interactive systems, complex databases and embedded hardware/software systems.

Making Judgements

Thanks to the solid methodological preparation and the workshop activities, graduates acquire the skills to analyse the results of projects, experimentations and/or simulations, assessing if a particular model or procedure are appropriate. This will allow them to interact with other professional figures and make decisions, in order to solve adequately possible problems in the field of computer science and automation, in line with the chosen training pathway.

The preparation and composition of the final degree thesis will give a particular contribution to the achievement of this goal; this work must be the result of a personal re-elaboration of the contents dealt with during the curriculum.

The assessment of the autonomous judgement is carried out through written and/or oral examinations, in particular through the ones provided for by the project-based disciplines, and, for the other training activities, through the final exam.

Communication skills

During the course of study, through the examinations and the preparation of the final exam, graduates acquire the appropriate communication skills to express themselves in verbal, written and multimedia form on the disciplinary issues, both at a general and specialized level. These communication skills, expressed in Italian, will be continuously assessed during the intermediate examinations and in particular during the final exam.

Students will be required to show understanding and communication skills also in English, at least in their technical-scientific context. The latter objective will be achieved by offering teaching programs in English.

These abilities will be developed during the regular training activities provided for by the course of study and through different moments of discussion and debate (seminars, conferences, guided visits, etc.).

The communication skills are assessed through written and/or oral examinations provided for by the intermediate exams and other training activities, and in particular through the final examination.

Learning skills

Graduates will always have to be up-to-date and acknowledge the technological innovations in the field of computer and systems engineering, train co-workers, participate at research and development groups in IT and automation industry, and contribute to the basic training in the field of computer science and automation.

Students mainly develop these abilities through the individual study of the issues covered during the frontal lessons and exercises. The development of the degree thesis provides for the consultation and the personal re-elaboration of specific scientific and technical literature.

The learning skills are assessed through written and/or oral examinations provided for by the intermediate exams and other training activities, through the project activities of some teaching programs and in particular through the final examination.

The Master’s degree in Computer and Systems Engineering is aimed at training professional figures with solid competencies in Information Engineering, able to understand, manage, and contribute to innovation in the fields of information processing systems and automation systems, and able to work confidently in the international context.

This Degree Course pursues the distinctive objectives of the category and provides for two training pathways with specific features.

The training pathway "Computer" intends to transfer the knowledge of the advanced languages, models and methods of the Information Processing Systems sector necessary for the design, realization and verification of complex computer systems.

The training pathway "Systems” is aimed at developing competencies for the modelling, identification, analysis, control and optimization of systems in complex contexts, such as, for instance, those of robotics or of embedded electronic systems, in order to design, manage and supervise automated control systems.

In order to achieve these objectives and favor an interdisciplinary approach, both training pathways develop:

• Deep mathematical knowledge, suitable for each pathway;
• Extensive knowledge of both IT and Automation sectors, for both pathways;
• Solid knowledge of the theoretical-scientific aspects of engineering sciences.

Therefore, the distinctive teaching programs of both curricula concern:

• The design of effective algorithms on complex data structures;
• The fundamentals of software engineering;
• The design, realization and evaluation of advanced user interfaces;
• The design, realization and use of complex data warehouse;
• The design, realization and interrogation of territorial databases;
• The study of models and methods for the logical and physical protection of databases;
• Models and methods for systems analysis and simulation in both deterministic and stochastic contexts;
• Data analysis and filtering techniques;
• Models and techniques for static and dynamic optimization;
• Computer modelling and simulation of dynamic systems;
• advanced robotics;
• Modelling and control/verification algorithms for hybrid systems;
• HW and SW design methods of embedded systems;
• Design of power electronic devices for automation and energy.

Role in a work environment:

As analysts, the Master’s graduates in Computer and Systems Engineering will have the task of analysing the needs of the customers and the relevant issues, defining the project requirements and specifications of applications and IT systems (such as computer networks, software, web applications, databases, interfaces…) or automatic systems (such as embedded systems, robotic, control and monitoring systems, etc.).

The terms normally used to describe this kind of professions are: Systems Analyst, IT Analyst, and Technical Consultant.

As designers, they will have to use modern techniques and tools for the effective design of computer and automation components, systems and processes, also by using their competencies in the definition of mathematical models for the analysis and simulation of processes and control systems.

They may also have functions of checking and validating the performances of computer/automation systems, conducting experiments and analyzing and interpreting data.

The terms normally used to describe this kind of professions are: Software and Systems Engineer (or Designer), Control Systems Engineer, Software Developer.

As administrators, the Computer and Systems Engineers must deeply understand and manage complex information and automation systems, by analyzing their quality, identifying possible criticalities and proposing solutions.

The terms normally used to describe this kind of professions are: System manager (Data Base manager, Plant manager), System Administrator.

Skills associated with the function

Role competencies:

The knowledge and competencies provided by the teaching programs of this Course of Study concern the comprehension and realization of algorithms, software design, the design and realization of user-machine interfaces, design, realization and use of databases and information systems. For what concerns the “Systems” training pathway, the knowledge and competencies provided regard the modelling, analysis, simulation, identification and control of different types of dynamic systems (continuous, discrete, hybrid, linear, nonlinear, deterministic and stochastic), industrial robotics, statistical analysis of data and measures, design and realization of embedded control systems and power electronic systems for the device control.

These competencies allow Computer and Systems Engineers to analyse and understand information processing systems and control systems designed and realized by others, and critically assess their suitability in relation to application, quality and performances.

As Systems Analysts, they will use the acquired knowledge to analyse and understand industrial issues and propose computer-based or system-based solutions, defining models that will be used in the design phase.

As Software and System Designers, Computer and Systems Engineers will use the acquired knowledge to carry out the following activities:

• Software design and programming (Area: Software Development);
• Network design (computer networks) (Area: Information Systems);
• Application developer that use databases (Area: Information Systems);
• Robotic or automated systems design and programming (Area: Automation Systems);
• Design of continuous and event-based automatic control systems (Area: Automatic Control Systems);
• embedded systems design and development (Area: Embedded Systems Design);
• Sales support assistant of computer systems (Area: Commercial Sector).

Professional status.

Professional opportunities:

The main professional opportunities are given both by industries, especially in technologically advanced sectors, that realize products including subsystems and computer/automation components (such as logic and control units, electronic control units, embedded systems, data acquisition and storage unit), and by industries, companies or institutions belonging to different sectors that provide services by means of systems processing information and automation (for instance, in the production of goods and services, public administration, finance, communications, transports, supply, maintenance and quality control).

Among the main areas of interest for Computer and Systems Engineering graduates, there are:

Electronics, electro mechanics, aviation and aerospace, automotive, chemistry, machines and plants for automated systems, computer components, test and measurement equipment, bioengineering.