Learning Objectives

The Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, belonging to the L-31 class (Computer Science and Technologies), aims to train high-level scientific professionals in computer science disciplines. Graduates will be prepared either to pursue further studies by enrolling in a Master’s Degree in the field of computer science, or to immediately enter the workforce, where solid IT skills and the necessary theoretical and mathematical foundations for software application development in industries and services are required. The degree programme is structured into distinct educational tracks (e.g., curricula), which utilize specific credit ranges to ensure a balanced offering of interdisciplinary courses, as well as tailored time allocations for internships and work placements.

In any case, the Computer Science graduate will possess a strong command of the technological and professional aspects of the discipline, as well as its theoretical-mathematical foundations, evolution, and current application areas. Furthermore, they will acquire an open and flexible mindset geared toward problem-solving and the rapid learning of innovative methodologies and technologies, enabling them to successfully integrate into professional roles that require familiarity with the scientific method.

To equip the graduate with these characteristics, the Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science:

• Includes activities aimed at acquiring foundational knowledge in discrete mathematics and differential and integral calculus, alongside core knowledge in the primary areas of computer science (including theoretical foundations of computer science, algorithms, operating systems, databases, human-computer interaction and multimedia, software engineering, computer networks, and IT systems security);

• Features project-based and laboratory work specifically designed to develop proficiency in programming methodologies;

• Includes activities to provide a strong command of the English language.

In compliance with the principles of European harmonization, the exit competencies developed by graduates of this First-Cycle (Bachelor's) Degree in Computer Science meet the specific requirements identified by the Dublin Descriptors system.

The knowledge listed above is achieved through participation in lectures and practical exercises, guided personal study, and independent study, which are built into the educational activities—particularly within the core and compulsory disciplinary sectors: MAT/01-MAT/09, FIS/01-FIS/03, INF/01.

The degree programme adheres to the initiative of GRIN (the Italian Association of University Professors of Computer Science), which handles the quality certification of course content, establishing a true quality seal for university-level computer science education. GRIN introduced this quality seal in 2004 to help both students and the job market navigate the wide variety of IT-related degrees offered by Italian universities under the current university regulations.

The content quality certification is based on a set of criteria that define the minimum amount of computer science that must be taught, the topics covered, and the number of computer science professors on staff. If a degree programme in Computer Science meets these defined criteria, it is entitled to display this quality seal. The content quality certification is defined by five straightforward criteria (with the year of introduction in parentheses):

• A sufficiently high amount of computer science must be taught (in effect since 2004);
• A substantial amount of computer science must be taught across its fundamental areas (since 2004);
• There cannot be an excessive focus on only a few specific aspects of computer science (since 2004);
• An adequate amount of mathematics must be taught in the areas most relevant to computer science (since 2008);
• The degree programme must have a sufficient number of properly qualified faculty members (introduced as a guideline in 2005, and as a binding criterion since 2008).

Compliance with these five criteria leads to the award of the certification known as the Bollino GRIN (GRIN Quality Seal). This quality seal is awarded annually based on the academic offering of the current academic year. The Computer Science degree programme at the University of Catania (both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees) obtained this certification in both 2012 and 2013 (see https://grin.informatica.uniroma2.it/certificazione/), as evidenced by the seal on the degree programme's homepage, and aims to maintain this certification for future academic years.