Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

Academic Regulations of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (L-31)

Art. 1 Entry requirements
Art. 2 Entry test
Art. 3 Change from an old academic system, Transfers, 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
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Art. 1 Entry Requirements
To be admitted to the degree programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, applicants must have obtained an upper secondary school diploma or any other suitable title of study got abroad and recognised as being equivalent.
Students are expected to have knowledge of Mathematics and Physics typically provided by upper secondary education. Logical and comprehension skills of written and oral texts, as well as the ability to express oneself effectively in writing are also required.
The programme is taught in English and English proficiency is therefore essential. 

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Art. 2 Entry Test
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The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence is a restricted access course, and the enrolment is granted to students who passed an admission test. 

Applicants are required at least a B2 proficiency level in English to take part in the selection process.
Registration and performance procedures of the entry test are indicated in the call for applications of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence available at the following page:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/corsi-ad-accesso-programmato-con-tolc-...
Candidates placed in the list as eligible but under the admission threshold are entailed the assignment of some Additional Learning Requirements (OFAs).
Such learning debts must be mandatorily fulfilled within the first year of the programme by taking recovery tests and passing the specific OFA test. Dates and procedures for OFA tests will be available on the web page of the degree programme in the Course Catalogue of the University:
https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/
OFA are also considered fulfilled by passing the curricular exam Linear Algebra (6 ECTS).
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Art. 3 Change from an old academic system, Transfers, Course Shortenings, Credit Recognition
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3.1 Change from an old academic system and Transfers 

3.1.a – Change from an old academic system
Following the establishment of the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence 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 Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence under D.M. 270/04.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence under D.M. 270/04 who apply to move to the current Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence are guaranteed the programme conversion, in accordance with the Student Regulations:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti

The Didactic Area Council (CAD) examine 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;
• indicates the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
• establishes any additional learning requirements to be fulfilled;
• formulates the completion plan for the student to obtain the degree.

Applications for programme conversion to the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence under D.M. 1648/23 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. may be accepted only if the year of study to which the student is admitted is active.

3.1.b – Transfers from other Sapienza degree programmes and transfers from other universities
Students already enrolled in another degree programme in Sapienza or in another Italian university, after taking and passing the entry test, may request recognition of the exams taken in the previous programme. 

 

Requests for exam recognition are subject to the approval of the CAD, which:

• evaluates the possibility of full or partial recognition of the student’s previous academic record, validating part or all exams taken and relevant credits and grades. In the case of transfers between programmes established under DM 270/04 or DM 1648/23 of the same degree class, at least 50% of the credits acquired in each scientific-disciplinary sector (SSD) must be recognized (Art. 3, paragraph 11 of DM 1648/23);
• indicates the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
• establishes any additional academic requirements to be fulfilled;
• formulates 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 academic system, 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 Regulation: https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti 

3.2 Course Shortening (Credit Recognition / Advanced Standing)
Student holding a three-year diploma and a three year, four-year, five year 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 the recognition of university credits acquired in their previous academic career, after taking the admission test and 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 part or all exams taken and any credits earned, alomg with the corresponding grades; in the case of transfers between programmes established under Ministerial Decree (D.M.) 1648/23 of the same degree class, at least 50% of the credits earned in each Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD) must be recognized (Art. 3, paragraph 11 of D.M. 1648/23 concerning degree classes);
• indicates the year of the programme to which the student is admitted;
• establishes any additional academic requirements to be fulfilled;
• formulates the completion plan for the student to obtain the degree

On the basis of the recognised academic record, should the student may 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
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
The CAD provides a procedure for shortening the duration of the degree programme for particularly outstanding students, in accordance with the aforementioned Regulations:
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/content/laureandi 

The CAD has established that, in addition to the conditions defined in the student Regulations, course shortening is regulated as follows:

1. Students may apply for the course-shortening procedure by submitting a request to the President of the CAD of the Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence programme, on the basis of an outstanding academic curriculum, or as members of categories that may be specified by the CAD over time with special resolutions (e.g., students who have won medals in Informatics in the Italian Olympiad during upper secondary education).
2. The CAD will issue a resolution admitting the student to the programme, specifying the list of exams that may be taken in advance relative to the Degree Programmes (Manifesto degli Studi) in force. A faculty member will also be appointed to guide the student and coordinate the personalised study plan in collaboration with other teachers.
3. For some or all courses of the degree programme, students may be assigned a personalised study path, with a curriculum defined by the course teacher based on an assessment of the student’s prior knowledge, abilities, and interests.

Students are not allowed to enrol in a degree programme belonging to the same class in which they have already earned a qualification.

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 among 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 recognized 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 establish specific equivalence tables between groups of courses from Bachelor’s programmes in class L-31 under DM 270/04 or DM 1648/23 at Sapienza to facilitate student transfers to the 1648/23 curriculum. 
The CAD may recognize as credits the professional knowledge and skills certified under current regulations, as well as other knowledge and skills acquired through post-secondary training activities to which the University has contributed to its planning and execution. Such credits apply to the 15 CFU allocated to internships.  

Activities already recognized as CFU within the Bachelor’s programme cannot be recognized again within Master’s degree programmes.
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Art. 4 Completion Plans and Individual Study Plans
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Students must obtain approval of their complete study plan from the CAD to record the results of exams related 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
A completion plan includes the list of all courses required for the relevant study programme and a specific section for the 12 elective CFUs. These elective credits may be chosen among all courses offered at Sapienza, provided they are consistent with the degree programme.
Once prepared—including the elective courses—the completion plan is submitted to the CAD to verify its coherence with the degree programme. If approved, it becomes an official part of the student’s academic career. If not approved, the elective list must be revised. If not, the list of elective courses (12 CFU) must be modified.
Starting from the day following CAD approval, students are authorized to have recorded not only compulsory exams but also all non-compulsory exams listed in the approved completion plan.
A completion plan may be submitted only once per academic year, starting from the third year of study, within the period indicated in the Course catalogue (Degree programmes):  

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 in the Course catalogue (Degree programmes) on the web page of the degree programme:  https://corsidilaurea.uniroma1.it/ 

Once completed, the individual study plan is reviewed to verify that the chosen courses correspond to a valid academic path. If approved, the plan 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 authorized to have recorded not only compulsory exams but also all non-compulsory 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.
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Art. 5 Teaching Methods
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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 allows students adequate time for individual study.
The standard duration of the bachelor’s degree programme is six semesters, equivalent to three 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 Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence degree programme assigns 1 CFU to a number of teaching hours within the following ranges:

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

For each course within the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, 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, hours and ranges from 52% to 60% of the total hourly commitment required per CFU.  

The course descriptions of each teaching module show the distribution of CFUs and teaching hours of the different activities, as well as prerequisites, learning objectives, and 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 degree corresponds to 180 CFU.

5.2 Academic Calendar
The academic calendar is organized 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 in September and two in the other session;
• two additional exam 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 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.

5.4 Internship
The 15 CFU assigned to the internship correspond to an activity carried out under the supervision of a faculty member belonging to the Degree Programme or the Faculty. The internship may take place in companies or external institutions under predefined agreements, or in in a structure internal to the university, within the degree programme, under the supervision of a faculty member.
In both cases, the internship requires the student to be assigned a real-world problem, which must be solved through the development of a professionally oriented project.
The internship project must be presented and discussed before the Degree Commission, which may ask questions to verify the mastery of the topics by the candidate.
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Art. 6 Attendance Requirements, Prerequisites, Progression to Subsequent Years
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Regular attendance of lectures is highly recommended but not compulsory.
In compliance with current regulations, prerequisites among courses sharing the same name and progressive numbers or letters are mandatory. Therefore, exams for such courses must be taken in the order implied by their numbering; otherwise, exam records will be cancelled.
For example, “Calculus – Unit 1” must be passed before “Calculus – Unit 2”.
The are no other prerequisites for the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. However, the placement of the courses in the curriculum clearly indicates the ideal order that students should follow to attend them and take the relevant exams. Students are advised to:

• take exams of a given year of course only after having passed all exams of the previous years;
• within the same year, take exams of second-semester courses only after having passed all first-semester exams.

There are no barriers to enrolment in years beyond the first.
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Art. 7 Part-Time Study Option
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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
Students may choose a workload of CFUs/year ranging from 18 to 45.
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Art. 8 Students Outside Prescribed Years and Validity of Earned Credits
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According to the Student Regulations, 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 Student Regulations, credits are considered valid under the following conditions: 

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.
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Art. 9 Tutoring
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Students enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence 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/ 
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Art. 10 Honours Programme
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The Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Applied Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence 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/ 
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Art. 11 Final Exam
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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 in the defense of a thesis drafted independently by the student, which provides a coherent and thorough description of the problem addressed during the internship and all activities undertaken to reach a solution.
The thesis is subject to an anti-plagiarism assessment. If the check fails, the student will not be admitted to the final exam.
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.
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Art. 12 Extracurricular Exams
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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).
https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/regolamento-studenti