INFORMATICA Degree Programme Profile
Basic Information
Qualification awarded
Master Degree in INFORMATICA
Qualification Type/Level
EHEA Second cycle, EQF level 7
Number of Years/credits
2 years; 120 ECTS
Mode of Study
Full-Time/Part-Time*
*All Degree Programmes are planned and organised for full-time students. It is possible, however (without special arrangements), to proceed through the course of study at one's own pace. This makes it possible, if necessary, to accommodate employment or other non-university activities or obligations.
Name of the Course Director and other contact information
President of the Degree Course Council:
Prof. GIUSEPPE PRENCIPE
Email giuseppe.prencipe@unipi.it
Department of INFORMATICA
Internationalization Coordinator (CAI):
Prof. Andrea Corradini
Email andrea@di.unipi.it
Language of Teaching
English, English
Admission Requirements
Formal Requirements
Italian First cycle qualification (Laurea) or foreign equivalent in the same or related subject area, with possible extra work if required competences are lacking.
Possible assessment prior knowledge and competences
Assessment of competences acquired in First Cycle studies in related or un-related subject areas to determine admission by Degree Programme Council with possible assignment of extra work to be done before admission.
Required knowledge and competences support programmes
Students whose curricula show lacuna may need to take extra first cycle course units before admission.
General Information
Programme Profile
The Degree Program in Computer Science aims to train expert ICT technicians with a high level of scientific preparation and specialised in the design of innovative software systems and evolving information and communication technologies.
The scientific and methodological approach of the Program will allow graduated students to manage the complexity of modern information systems and to contribute to the progress of computer science both in its basic foundations and in its different applicative areas.
This integration between technology and scientific foundations is a distinctive feature of the Laurea Magistrale Degree in Computer Science. The technical and scientific preparation of the Laurea Magistale Degree cover all the fundamental issues of computer science. Advanced topics will be covered by the final part of the teaching program (elective topics).
Key Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Program in Computer Science will be able to demonstrate:
- ability to easily acquire new technologies in the rapidly evolving ICT area and critical awareness of their behaviour.
- deep knowledge of programming systems and formal tools for the specification of those systems.
- deep ability to build new algorithmic solutions for specific problems.
- deep knowledge of networked systems.
- deep knowledge of data management systems.
- knowledge of mathematical methodologies required to model and analyse ICT systems
- specialized knowledge of one specific area of ICT (e.g., networking, database, formal methods,...).
- ability to communicate in at least one language of the EU in addition to Italian.
Occupational Profile/s of Graduates
The main professional skills of the student graduated in Computer Science are the design, development and management of information systems. In particular, the degree in Computer Science prepares students for different professions:
- management of computer systems and production of software systems both in public administrations and in public/private companies.
- researcher in public/private institutes in every field of Computer Science.
- teachers in the area of Computer Science in public schools and in training institutions.
Graduation opens to further possibilities for professional training, such as PhD courses and schools of specialization.
Access to further study
The Laurea Magistrale degree in COMPUTER SCIENCE allows the graduate to compete for entry into a Third Cycle programme/doctoral school.
Assessment methods, examination regulations, and grading
Assessment is normally by means of an oral or written examination; in some cases there are intermediate exams during the course; other elements (participation in discussion, written or oral reports, commentary of texts etc. ) are foreseen in specific course units and are described in the Course Unit Profiles.
The grading system for the course units consists of 30 possible points, plus 'lode' (cum laude) in case of excellence. Marks are given by the lecturer based on the performance as ascertained in a public examination by a board of at least two teachers. The main exam sessions are held in June/July; September; and January; students may resit exams**.
Actual grading curves differ in different degree programmes. The University of Pisa provides an ECTS Grading Table, which shows the actual distribution, of the examination and final grades among students for each degree programme, in order to facilitate the comparison with other grading systems. ---> Link to ECTS Grading Table
An overall mark is given on the occasion of the 'Final Exam', when a written research text is presented and discussed. The final overall mark is calculated based on the results of the marks obtained in the single course units and the final exam, and is based on 110 possible points, with the possible further mention of honours ("lode" or cum laude).
**The exam sessions are organised into sessions (the dates vary according to the Department and are published in the Department's academic calendar). In each session there are a certain number of 'appelli' [calls], or dates on which the examination for each course unit may be taken. The 'appelli' are fixed by the teacher. The students choose which of the appelli they wish to respond to. In most cases, it is obligatory to sign up before the specified date.
Requirements (regulations) to obtain the qualification
First year (60 ECTS credits)
- Algorithms II (9 ECTS credits)
- Databases II (9 ECTS credits)
- Computing Models (9 ECTS credits)
- Principles of Programming Languages (12 ECTS credits)
- Advanced Programming (9 ECTS credits)
- Numerical methods a