The master in Applied Mathematics & Computational Science (AMCS) at USI offers the unique opportunity to acquire a focused and in depth set of knowledge and skills in mathematical and informatical knowledge. It is a unique programme in Switzerland aiming at building deep competences in both advanced mathematics and computational science with a strong background in informatics.

Combinare forti competenze nel calcolo scientifico, l´informatica e il calcolo ad alte prestazione.
La definizione di modelli matematici avanzati e i metodi ad alte prestazione nelle simulazioni numeriche aprono nuove prospettive per la scienza, la ricerca e l´economia. Sfruttando le capacità dei moderni supercomputer, possono essere affrontati problemi sempre più complessi, coprendo un largo spettro di discipline, dalle scienze esatte e naturali, a quelle economiche e sociali, fino a quelle biomediche, ambientali, dei materiali e ingegneristiche.
L´ICS (Istituto di Scienze Computazionali) offre un ambiente di ricerca unico, dove forti competenze nella modellazione, nella simulzione e nella scienza dell´informazione si uniscono in un´atmosfera aperta e orientta all´applicazione. All´ICS, le tecniche di simulazione e di modellazione di ultima generazione incontrano la progettazione e lo sviluppo del software, il master in Scienze Computazionali mira a sfruttare le competenze uniche presenti nell´Istituto.
Questo campo di studi offre la possibilità di imparare un metodo fortemente interdisciplinare per la soluzione di problemi e offre la possibilità di focalizzarsi più sugli aspetti matematici od informatici della disciplina. Lungo il corso degli studi, lo studente lavorerà continuamente su progetti in stretta collaborazione con i partner di ICS come CSCS (Swiss National Supercomputing Centre) e SUPSI (Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana).

Obiettivi
With the rapid development of modern supercomputing facilities, Computational Science, i.e. the numerical simulation of real-world problems in natural and social sciences, engineering, material science, finance, biology, and medicine, has become an increasingly important pillar for our modern knowledge and technology driven society. The master in Applied Mathematics & Computational Science (AMCS) at USI, through the unique combination of mathematical, informatical and applied courses aims at building deep competences in applied mathematics and computational science with a strong background in informatics and in the development of scientific simulation software. The successful student will acquire strong competences in abstract thinking within a methodology and application oriented education, which will provide the ability to deal with complex models in e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry, life science or finance. Moreover, the AMCS master will enable the student to learn the paradigms that allow to apply these competences directly to real-world problems, thus enabling a direct transfer of theoretical competences and method based knowledge to practical problems.
The students’ individual choice of elective courses enables them to tailor the focus of their interdisciplinary personal program – either method-oriented, or informatic-specific. As a result, the programme not only prepares students for current and evolving technologies in computer sciences but will also strongly deepening their knowledge in mathematical and algorithmic methodologies. The study plan for the elective courses of each student will be set up individually together with a scientific mentor.
The mentor will advise and accompany the student through her/his study.

Destinatari
The formal requirement for admission to the Master’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences is a Bachelor’s degree granted by a recognised university in the field of Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related disciplines. Specific Prerequisites for the MSc in Computational Science Fundamental knowledge in computer science, mathematics, numerical analysis, software development. Example: Bachelor in informatics w. good mathematical knowledge, bachelor in mathematics w. good knowledge in informatics, bachelor in engineering sciences or application area w. good knowledge in mathematics and informatics.For candidates missing some particular knowledge, a “qualifying semester” could be introduced. In this semester, the master-candidates would attend selected Bachelor courses. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree of a recognised University of Applied Sciences may be admitted with 30-60 additional ECTS to be earned during or before the beginning of the programme, with Bachelor courses according to a study program defined by the scientific director. Admissions will be treated on a case by case basis. Language requirements
The Master in Informatics is entirely taught in English. Applicants whose first degree was not taught in English, are required to at least have earned a B2 certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or an equivalent level of another proficiency certificate – e.g. TOEFL, IELTS.
Whilst it is an important requisite to be fluent in English, candidates do not need to know or learn Italian in order to successfully participate in the programmes.
As Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, students might be interested in acquiring the basics in Italian, in order to be able to get around in everyday life.
The University of Lugano offers an Italian language study programme organized in various modules. All its non Italian-speaking students, researchers and professors are invited to participate free of charge.

Sbocchi occupazionali
This particular combination of competences will prepare the student for our ever changing job market, as the student will be able to critically judge existing and new approaches and easily acquire new competences and new knowledge, based on the broad theoretical and practical basis given in the AMCS-master. As a consequence, this interdisciplinary education provides rich opportunities for career, and is a solid basis for personal development and life long learning.
Skills and practical competences acquired in the USI AMCS master will find applications in a broad range of industries that imply dealing with computer modeling of real-life phenomena e.g. in medical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmaceutical industry, electronics and computer manufacturers and software firms, government labs, federally funded contractors, academic institutions and research institutes, engineering research organizations, automative industry, aerospace and transportation equipment manufacturers, consulting, management, financial service and investment management firms, banks, insurances, transpiortation service providers, communication services providers, consumer products companies, producers of petroleum and petroleeum products, or energy providers.

Contenuti
The Master of Science in AMCS consists of four semester’s full-time study (120 ECTS). It includes approximately 30 ECTS of courses in informatics, 30 ECTS of courses in computational science and mathematics, and 30 ECTS of electives courses at the faculty of Informatics on the basis of the student’s interest. It finishes with a substantial half-year project master’s thesis, worth 30 ECTS which can be done in an industrial environment or in a research group.

FIRST SEMESTER

• Algorithms and Complexity
• Advanced Programming and Design
• Computational Deterministic Methods
• Introduction to Partial Differential Equations-PDEs
• Parallel and Distributed Computing

SECOND SEMESTER

• Computer Simulation in Science in Engineering Summer School
• Computational Stochastic Methods
• Linear and Nonlinear Multiscale Solution Strategies
• Parallel and Distributed Computing LAB
• Special Topics in Informatics and AMCS
• Elective courses or seminars from Informatics or AMCS

THIRD SEMESTER

• Scientific Visualization
• Advanced Discretization Methods
• Scientific and Technical Communication
• Elective courses or seminars from Informatics or AMCS

FOURTH SEMESTER
Master Thesis.

Note

Durata The academic year runs from September until June. Courses are held from September until December and from February until the end of May. The academic year also includes 3 exam sessions (January, June and September). Costo Tuition fees for the Master's degrees amount to CHF 4,000 per semester. Applicants whose official residence was in Switzerland (including Liechtenstein and Campione d'Italia) at the time of the final high school exam (Maturità) pay a reduced semester fee of CHF 2,000. Tuition fees are payable at the beginning of each term, by the deadline indicated on the invoice; fee payment is an essential condition for matriculating or renewing one's enrolment. Borse di studio e finanziamenti The Foundation for the Lugano Faculties of USI will award a total of 60 one-off study grants of the amount of 4'000 CHF each. The merit based grants are given to first year students admitted to a USI Master program starting in September. USI Università della Svizzera italiana organises a contest for 5 bursaries for the first year Bachelor or Master students enrolled at the Faculty of Informatics. Other study grants are available. For more details, please, visit the following link: http://www.usi.ch/en/formazione-borse_studio.htm