Educational goals

The Master's degree course in Electronic Engineering aims to train professionals with an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and scientific aspects of engineering subjects, enabling them to identify, interpret, formulate and solve the main problems peculiar to electronic engineering — including complex ones — by relying on innovation-oriented approaches. Teaching will be in English, which is the dominant language in the electronics industry. By the end of their study programme, graduates will be able to identify, analyse, formalise and solve the main problems, including complex ones, peculiar to electronic engineering, photonics and telecommunications by relying on innovation-oriented approaches. They will be able to tackle and handle problems and concepts typical of mathematics, physics and engineering subjects with confidence and competence. This course will provide graduates with a thorough understanding of electronic engineering principles and the ability to apply them to complex problems that require an innovative and interdisciplinary approach. Not only will they have mastered the principles of electrical engineering, but they will also be able to apply them to complex problems that require an innovative and interdisciplinary approach. They will become experts in the most advanced technologies, acquiring the knowledge necessary to integrate these technologies into increasingly complex and sophisticated systems. They will prove themselves to be skilled designers, capable of devising innovative solutions and overseeing their development at every stage. Graduates will also have acquired soft skills that will enable them to work effectively in diverse business and professional contexts, communicating clearly in writing and verbally using the correct scientific and engineering vocabulary. They will also be recognised as ethical individuals who consistently adhere to the principles outlined in the industry code of practice. Graduates will be able to build a flexible, up-to-date professional career in an international predominantly English-speaking labour market. They will also have the opportunity to engage in research endeavours in one of the contexts available in the national and international landscape. To achieve these results, the Master's degree course places special emphasis on the in-depth study of the theoretical and practical content acquired in the previous degree, as well as the study of the most innovative technologies. This ensures that the training provided remains relevant and up to date with the evolution of the ICT landscape, equipping students with the conceptual tools to tackle new problems with confidence and follow necessary updates over time. At the same time, the training course will equip students with the skills needed to use experimental and simulation tools in an advanced approach to electronic engineering problems. Graduates will be able to reach this training goal by relying on on-site research laboratories and scientific collaborations with industry companies, as this will provide them with an ideal environment where high-profile professionals are trained for immediate access to the industrial research landscape. The training activity — where emphasis will be placed on methodological aspects — will be structured to provide highly qualified engineering skills in the field of advanced design, development, production and management of manufacturing and service activities related to: - Microelectronic circuits and systems, including those operating in microwave and radio frequencies; - Electronic and electro-optical instrumentation; - Photonic devices and systems; - Telecommunications and remote sensing systems. With a view to fine-tuning as best as possible the training of master's-level electronics engineers in the aforementioned fields, the programme of educational activities provides fundamental training in Electronics and Electromagnetic Fields. On this basis, related compulsory activities (in Mathematics and Communications areas) and supplementary activities (Physics of Matter, Communications or Electronics) are included, with a focus on applications or specific areas of scientific study. Finally, depending on each student's choice, the course may chiefly focus on one of the following areas: - Microelectronics, where students will acquire advanced skills in modelling, simulation and characterisation of semiconductor devices, as well as in system-on-chip (SoC) and silicon system design; Photonics, where engineers will be trained to work in the field of light generation, manipulation and detection.

Career opportunities

Electronics engineer. Many companies are looking for professionals who can work actively and proactively within innovative processes involving production, service delivery, advanced systems design and management. The Master's degree course in Electronic Engineering meets this demand by training electronic engineers with a high professional profile, eligible for immediate employment and trained not only to embrace but, more importantly, to promote innovation. The most prominent employment opportunities are to be found in manufacturing industries such as electronic components, devices and systems — including highly integrated and miniaturised devices (i.e. “Microelectronics”) — optoelectronic components and devices, telecommunications equipment and systems, and industrial and measurement instrumentation. More generally, employment opportunities will be available in all industrial sectors that apply electronic, electro-optical and electromagnetic technologies to innovate their products. In addition to manufacturing companies, other potential employers include service companies, both in the public and private sphere, where technical expertise is coupled with a need for management and production organisation skills. Lombardy is one of the most heavily industrialised areas in Europe and a key location for the tertiary sector. It is home to some of Italy's leading companies in the electronics, instrumentation, telecommunications and transport sectors, as well as Italian branches of major multinationals. Pavia is home to a number of small and medium-sized companies specialising in telecommunications, automation and robotics equipment and systems. Several microelectronics design centres belonging to major semiconductor multinationals such as STMicroelectronics, Infineon Technologies, AMS/OSRAM, Marvell and Synopsys are also located in the area. Maxim and National Semiconductors are also based in the immediate vicinity of Pavia. In particular, STMicroelectronics has supported a research centre on the university campus for more than 10 years. The centre has its own staff and provides support for higher education. Its aims include training and subsequently recruiting high-profile engineers with specific professional competence in the design of integrated microelectronic systems. Other sectors with potential job opportunities include optoelectronic systems and equipment, as well as the telecommunications and remote sensing industries. Well-established research collaborations also support employment opportunities in these areas.

Admission requirements

For admission to the Master’s programme, students must hold a bachelor’s degree (which may be a bachelor’s degree obtained according to the regulations in force prior to Ministerial Decree 509/1999, as amended from time to time) or a three-year university degree, or an academic title obtained abroad, provided that it is recognised as eligible by the relevant University’s bodies. The meeting of curricular requirements and the adequacy of the student's initial preparation is also needed for admission. Admission to the Master's degree in Electronic Engineering requires a solid understanding of engineering subjects, with a strong background in fundamental and specialised subjects related to electronics, electromagnetic fields, and telecommunications. These competences are set out in the Teaching Regulations for the Master's degree programme in terms of curricular requirements. In this connection, a minimum number of University Credits (CFUs) that candidates must have acquired in their previous studies are defined. These credits refer to the various training activities laid down by the current regulations and to individual scientific and subject-specific sectors and/or groups of scientific subject-specific sectors, provided that they are recognised as eligible by the Academic Board. In order to be admitted to the Master's degree programme, students must demonstrate fluency in written and spoken English, including with regard to subject-specific vocabulary. The required level of proficiency is set out in the programme's Teaching Regulations and aligns with the levels of competence outlined in the Common European Framework developed by the Council of Europe. Admission to the Master’s degree course also depends on the candidate's personal background check. The relevant criteria and procedures are set out by the Faculty Board based on the Academic Board's proposal.