Computer Science

The student representatives can be reached at the following email address:
rappstudcad@di.uniroma1.it (for issues related to the Bachelor's degree program)
For matters concerning the department more broadly, please contact:
rappstud@di.uniroma1.it
The student representatives of the degree program are responsible for collecting feedback, concerns, and proposals from students and bringing them to the attention of the teaching staff, the program coordination, and other relevant bodies. These may include reports of critical issues, requests for clarification, or constructive suggestions to improve teaching and services.
Among the main tasks of the student representatives:

• Listening to and collecting reports, requests, and suggestions from students, and identifying the appropriate channel (professors, administrative office, program chair, etc.) to address them
• Collaborating with representatives in other bodies (e.g., Department Council, Faculty Assembly, Committees, etc.) to raise issues or proposals that go beyond the scope of the individual degree program

Anyone who has feedback, proposals, or concerns in line with the above is encouraged to contact the student representatives of the degree program.
 

Professor Tiziana Calamoneri
She is the go-to professor for students with disabilities and SLD regarding teaching issues. She liaises with teachers, facilitating the identification of personalized compensatory and dispensatory measures that are also compatible with exam procedures.  

Dr. Alessandra Fremiotti
fremiotti@di.uniroma1.it

Il Garante degli studenti per il triennio 2023-2024 è il Professore Fabio Grasso

Educational Affairs Office (for incoming and current students):
segr.didattica@di.uniroma1.it
We answer all your questions related to teaching: classes, exams, study plans, graduation sessions, attendance issues, and any doubts regarding course content.
We do not answer questions about administrative matters such as student records or tuition fees.

Faculty Student Office for all administrative matters, from enrollment to graduation:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/segreteria-amministrativa-studenti-di-ingegneria-dellinformazione-informatica-e-statistica

Didactic Regulations of the Master’s Degree Programme in Computer Science (LM-18)
 Art. 1 Entry Requirements
Art. 2 Assessment of Entry Requirements and Personal Preparation
Art. 3 Change from an old academic system, Changes of Degree Programme, Course Shortenings, Credit Recognition
Art. 4 Completion Plans and Individual Study Plans
Art. 5 Teaching Methods
Art. 6 Attendance Requirements, Prerequisites, Progression to Subsequent Years
Art. 7 Part-Time Study Option
Art. 8 Students Outside Prescribed Years and Validity of Earned Credits
Art. 9 Tutoring
Art. 10 Honours Programme
Art. 11 Final Exam
Art. 12 Extracurricular Exams
Art. 1 Entry Requirements
To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Computer Science, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree or a three-year university diploma, or any other suitable title of study obtained abroad and recognised as being equivalent.
Knowledge of the key aspects of computer science, including algorithms and data structures, programming languages, computer architecture, databases, computer networks, operating systems, as well as the necessary supporting mathematical tools is required.
In any case, applicants are required to have earned at least 90 university credits (CFU/ECTS) in the following scientific-disciplinary sectors (or equivalent areas for holders of an international qualification) to access to the programme:

• INF/01
   
• ING-INF/01, ING-INF/02, ING-INF/03, ING-INF/04, ING-INF/05
   
• FIS/01, FIS/02, FIS/07
   
• MAT/01, MAT/02, MAT/03, MAT/05, MAT/06, MAT/07, MAT/08, MAT/09
   
• SECS-S/01, SECS-S/06
   

with the restriction of having earned at least 72 ECTS in the field of the basic subjects (mathematics, physics, computer science) and the core subjects of computer science, with specific reference to subjects related to ICT (Information and Communication Technology), data science, mathematical and physical sciences, and information engineering.
A good knowledge of both written and spoken English, at B2 level or higher, is also required.
Students who do not meet the entry requirements may enrol in single courses and take the relevant exams before enrolling in the programme, as provided for in the Students Regulations.
Applicants who have not yet completed their Bachelor’s degree may also enrol in the Master’s degree programme, provided they obtain their degree within the deadlines established by the University Regulations.
Art. 2 Assessment of Entry Requirements and Academic Knowledge
The assessment of entry requirements shall be carried out by a special Committee.
If the entry requirements are met, the Committee will also assess the academic knowledge of the applicants, as specified in the call for applications published in the Course Catalogue (Degree programmes) on the web page of the degree programme: https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/.
The assessment of personal preparation will take into account the degree class obtained and relevant degree grade, and marks of the exams belonging to the scientific-disciplinary sectors of the computer science area.
The Committee will approve admission for applicants who hold a degree in classes L-31 or L-08 with a degree grade of at least 100/110.
All applicants whose curricular requirements are not deemed fully adequate will have to undergo an admission interview to assess their knowledge of the fundamental aspects of computer science, relating in particular to: algorithms and data structures, programming languages, computer architecture, databases, computer networks, and operating systems.
The Committee will indicate the topics of the admission interview to those who do not possess adequate academic knowledge for the Master’s Degree Programme in Computer Science.
Applicants who request the assessment of entry requirements must also demonstrate proficiency of both written and spoken English by submitting a B2-level (or higher) language certification. 
Art. 3 Change from an old academic system, Transfers, Course Shortenings, Credit Recognition
3.1.a – Change from an old academic system
Following the establishment of the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science pursuant to Ministerial Decree 270/04 and in consideration of Ministerial Decree 1649/23, the awarding of the degree is guaranteed for students already enrolled at Sapienza in the previous Master’s degree programmes in Informatics and Computer Science.
Students who apply to change to the current Master’s degree programme in Computer Science are guaranteed the programme conversion, in accordance with the Student Regulations: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti.
The Didactic Area Council (CAD) examines the applications and:

• determine which exams may be recognised under the current academic system and their corresponding grades, in compliance with the regulations adopted by the CAD and published on the web page of the degree programme;
   
• indicate the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
   
• formulate the completion plan for the student to obtain the degree.
   

Application for programme conversion to the Master’s degree in Computer Science must be submitted by the deadlines and in compliance with the procedures indicated in the Student Regulations  https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti, and may be accepted only if the year of the programme for which the admission is requested is active.
3.1.b – Transfers from other Sapienza degree programmes and transfers from other universities
Transfer applications of students from other Sapienza Master’s degree programmes and enrolled in other Italian university are subject to the approval of the CAD, which:

• evaluates the possibility of full or partial recognition of the student’s academic record, validating part or all of exams taken and relevant credits and grades; in the case of transfers from degree programmes pursuant to M.D. 270 of the same degree class, at least 50% of the credits acquired in each SSD (scientific-disciplinary sector) must be recognised (Art. 3, para. 9 of the Ministerial Decree on Master’s degree classes);
   
• indicate the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
   
• establish any additional academic requirements to be fulfilled;
   
• formulate the completion plan for the student to obtain the degree.
   

On the basis of the recognised academic record, should the student be admitted to a year of the programme following those activated under the current regulations, the student is allowed to choose either to enrol in the corresponding year of the programme under the previous academic system or in the year of the most advanced programme which is active under the current academic system (Art. 33, para. 5 of the University Educational Regulations).
Applications for transfer to the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science must be submitted by the deadlines and according to the procedures indicated in the Student Regulations: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti.
3.2 Course Shortenings
Students holding a three-year diploma and a three-year, a four-year, five-year degree or ‘Specialistica’ degree under previous academic system, or a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree under current academic system who wish to obtain an additional qualification may apply for a course shortening or recognition of university credits acquired in their previous academic career, after being admitted to the degree programme.
The Didactic Area Council (CAD) examine the applications and:

• evaluates the possibility of full or partial recognition of the academic record, validating some or all exams taken and any credits earned, along with the corresponding grades; in the case of transfers between programmes under M.D. 1649/23 belonging of the same degree class, at least 50% of the credits earned in each SSD must be recognised (Art. 3, para. 11 of M.D. 1649/23 on degree classes);
   
• indicate the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
   
• establish any additional academic requirements to be fulfilled;
   
• formulate the completion plan for the student to obtain the degree.
   

On the basis of the recognised academic record, should the student be admitted to a year of the programme beyond all those activated under the current curriculum, the provisions of the Student Regulations apply: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti.
Students are not allowed to enrol or register in a degree programme belonging to the same class in which they have already obtained a degree.
Applications must be submitted by the deadlines and according to the procedures specified in the Student Regulations: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti.
3.3 Criteria for Credit Recognition
All university credits (CFU) already earned may be recognised if they relate to courses whose content—documented through official course syllabi—is consistent with one of the study programmes provided by the degree programme. For transfers from the same degree class, recognition of at least 50% of the credits in each scientific-disciplinary sector is guaranteed.
The CAD may establish equivalence between SSDs (scientific-disciplinary sectors) for credit assignment based on course content and in accordance with the degree programme regulations.
Credits already earned relating to courses that—also under a different name—clearly have the same content of the courses offered by the degree programme may be recognised as relating to the courses of the degree programme for which enrolment is requested. In this case, the CAD will decide on the recognition as follows:

• if the number of earned credits corresponds to those of the equivalent course, they are automatically recognized;
   
• If the number of CFU differs, the CAD will review the student’s curriculum and decide to recognize credits on the basis of additional interviews.
   

The CAD may recognise as credits the professional knowledge and skills certified in accordance with current legislation, as well as other knowledge and skills acquired in post-secondary educational activities to which the University has contributed to its planning and execution. Such credits apply to the 6 CFU allocated to Complementary Training Activities (AFC).
Activities already recognised for CFU attribution within a Bachelor’s degree programme cannot be recognised again within a Master’s degree programme.
Art. 4 Completion Plans and Individual Study Plans
Students must obtain approval of their complete study plan from the CAD to record the results of the exams relating to non-compulsory courses; otherwise, the exam records will be denied.
There are two possible alternatives to obtain approval:

1. following one of the completion plans prepared by the CAD;
    
2. submitting an individual study plan, which must be reviewed and approved by the CAD.
    

In both cases, the proposal must be submitted exclusively through the dedicated procedure in the Infostud information system of the University.
4.1 Completion Plans
Following a completion plan involves:

1. choosing nine courses within the Group B—Core Curriculum, according to the guidelines developed by the CAD and published on the Master’s degree programme page in Computer Science;
    
2. choosing two supplementary courses among those automatically proposed by the system;
    
3. choosing one or more courses related to the 12 elective CFU, which may be chosen among all courses offered at Sapienza.
    

Once prepared, students must submit the completion plan to verify the coherence of the selected elective courses referred to point 3 with the degree programme. If approved, the plan becomes an official part of the student’s academic career. If not approved, the elective list must be revised.
Starting from the day after approval, students are authorised to record all exams listed in the approved study plan.
The completion plan can  be chosen only once per academic year during the period indicated in the Course catalogue (Degree programmes) on the web page of the degree programme: https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/.
4.2 Individual Study Plans
Students who do not wish to follow a completion plan proposed by the CAD must submit an individual study plan, which must be compiled during the period indicated Course catalogue (Degree programmes) on the web page of the degree programme: https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/ 
Submitting an individual study plan involves:

1. choosing nine courses among those listed in Group B—Core Curriculum;
    
2. choosing two supplementary courses among those automatically proposed by the system;
    
3. choosing one or more courses related to the 12 elective CFU, which may be chosen among all courses offered at Sapienza.
    

Once completed, the individual study plan is reviewed to verify that the chosen courses correspond to a valid academic path. If approved, it becomes an official part of the student's academic career. If not approved, the plan must be revised.
Starting from the day after approval, students are authorised to record all exams listed in the approved study plan.
The individual study plan can be submitted only once per academic year.
4.3 Changes to Completion Plans and Individual Study Plans
Students who have already chosen a completion plan may, in a subsequent academic year, adopt a different completion plan or submit an individual study plan. Likewise, students who already have an approved individual study plan may, in a subsequent academic year, adopt a different completion plan or submit a different individual study plan.
In all cases, exams already recorded may not be replaced.
Art. 5 Teaching Methods
Teaching activities follow a conventional format and are organised on a semester basis.
Courses are delivered through lectures, guided practice, and laboratory activities, according to a schedule designed to allow students adequate time for individual study.
The standard duration of the Master’s degree programme is 4 semesters, equivalent to two years.
5.1 University Credits (CFU)
University credits (CFU/ECTS) are the measurement unit for the work required by the student to achieve learning objectives. CFUs are earned by passing exams or obtaining eligibility, where applicable.
The credit system adopted by Italian and European universities establishes that one CFU corresponds to 25 hours of total workload per student, divided in the collective training activities provided by the Regulations (e.g. lectures, practice, laboratory activities) and individual study.
In accordance with the University Teaching Regulations, the Computer Science degree programme assigns 1 CFU to a number of teaching hours within the following ranges:

• 1 CFU of lecture: 6 to 10 hours;
   
• 1 CFU of guided practice or laboratory: 9 to 12 hours.
   

For each course within the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science, the CAD determines the number of hours assigned in accordance with these ranges.
The share of time allocated to individual study or other individual training activities varies according to the number of lectures, guided practice, or laboratory and ranges from 52% to 60% of the total hourly commitment required per CFU. 
The course descriptions of each teaching module include the breakdown of CFUs and contact hours among different activities, as well as prerequisites, learning objectives, and preliminary syllabi, and can be consulted on the web page of the degree programme in the Course catalogue (Degree programmes): https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/
The total workload required to complete the Master’s degree corresponds to 120 CFU.
5.2 Academic Calendar
The academic calendar is organised into two teaching periods and three exam sessions, as follows:

• first teaching period: late September to late December;
   
• second teaching period: late February to early June;
   
• first exam session: early January to late February, following the end of the teaching period; it consists of at least two exam dates;
   
• second exam session: early June to late July, following the end of the teaching period; it consists of at least two exam dates;
   
• third exam session: September, before the beginning of the courses; it consists of an exam date;
   
• extraordinary exam session: one exam date in April and one in November, reserved for those entitled as per Student Regulations.
   

For each course, the following exam dates are provided:

• two exam dates in the period immediately following the end of the course (January–February for first-semester courses, June–July for second-semester courses);
   
• three exam dates in the remaining exam periods, one of which in September and two in the other session;
   
• two additional dates in November and April reserved for the eligible students as defined by Student Regulations.
   

The start and end dates of each teaching period and exam session are defined by the CAD in accordance with the Faculty calendar and and are available on the web page of the degree programme in the Course catalogue (Degree programmes): https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/
5.3 Exams
Students’ learning achievements are assessed, for each course, by assigning marks out of thirty, with a minimum passing mark of 18/30, or an eligible, in the case of a pass/fail qualification.
The exam may consist of:

• a written test, which may be taken at the end or throughout the course;
   
• an oral exam;
   
• an individual or group project;
   
• a combination of the above.
   

Art. 6 Attendance, Prerequisites, Progression to Subsequent Years
Regular attendance of lectures is highly recommended but not compulsory.
There are no prerequisites for the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science; any prior knowledge, if required, is specified by the individual course.
The placement of the courses in the curriculum indicates the ideal order that students should follow to attend and take the relevant exams. Students are advised to take exams of second-semester courses of a given academic year, only after having passed all first-semester exams of the same year.
There are no barriers to enrolment in years beyond the first for the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science.
Art. 7 Part-Time Study Option
The terms and procedures for applying to part-time learning, as well as the relevant regulations, are established in the Student Regulations and are available on the website of Sapienza University: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti .
Art. 8 Students Outside Prescribed Years and Validity of Earned Credits
According to the Student Regulations https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti, students are considered “fuori corso” (outside the prescribed years of study) when they exceed the prescribed length of the degree programme without having earned the academic qualification or passed all exams required for admission to the final exam.
Pursuant to the same Regulations, credits are considered valid under the following conditions:

• full-time students pass all exams within a period which is three times the standard of the degree programme;
   
• part-time students pass all exams within a period which is double the agreed duration for part-time study.
   

If these deadlines are not met, the CAD will evaluate the validity of earned credits on a case-by-case basis. For reinstatement, an appropriate application must be submitted to the Student Office according to the deadlines and procedures defined by the Regulations.
Art. 9 Tutoring
Students enrolled in the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science may benefit from tutoring services, which include both individual and group support, provided by faculty members appointed by the CAD.
Tutor names and tutoring options are available on the dedicated page of the degree programme in the Course catalogue (Educational programmes) https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/ 
Art. 10 Honours Programme
The Master’s degree programme in Computer Science offers an Honours Programme designed to support outstanding students interested in in-depth, cultural integration activities, and approach to the scientific research methodology.
The Honours Programme consists of additional training activities and is activated through a special Call for applications every year, open to students enrolled in the second year who meet the requirements specified in the Call.
The terms and procedures for applying to the Honours Programme are outlined on the dedicated page of the degree programme in the Course catalogue (Educational programmes) https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/ 
Art. 11 Final Exam
To be allowed to sit for the Final exam, students must have earned all CFUs provided for in the Academic programme for the activities other than the final exam and have completed the administrative requirements established in the University Teaching Regulations.
The final exam consists of the defence of a Master’s thesis, written in English, describing the results of an original study conducted on an applied, experimental, or research problem.
The thesis is subject to an anti-plagiarism assessment. If the check fails, the student will not be admitted to the final exam.
Students prepare their thesis under the supervision of a thesis advisor, who may be a faculty member of the Master’s degree programme, a faculty member of a different Italian or foreign degree programme, or a member of an Italian or foreign research institution. Thesis work is normally carried out during the second year of the programme and corresponds to approximately half of the student total study commitment. The thesis work and its presentation and defence correspond to 36 CFU.
The final grade is the result of the assessment of the career, the thesis, the final exam, and additional elements aimed at encouraging the completion of the exams within the prescribed time. The Degree committee assigns a grade on a scale of 110 and may, unanimously, award honours.
Art. 12 Extracurricular Exams
Students enrolled in the Master’s degree programme in Computer Science who wants to enrich their academic studies may enrol in up to two degree programmes of the same cycle per academic year among those offered by Sapienza University, and take the relevant exams in addition to those of their curriculum, in accordance with the Student Regulations (ex Art. 6 of R.D. no. 1269/38). Such exams are not taken into account to average grades, nor the CFUs acquired are counted for the achievement of the degree, but are added to the student’s academic career.
Applications must be submitted to the Student Office within the deadlines set by the Student Regulations.
Having regard to the scientific and cultural significance of this provision, the CAD has established that only students who have earned at least 36 CFU of the Computer Science degree programme are allowed to apply.