FAQs

Coming from Management Engineering (L-8 class), can courses such as Statistics, Object Oriented Programming and Programming Techniques (based on OOP) be considered equivalent to the Statistical Methods in Data Science and Object Oriented Programming courses?
Yes, those coming from Management Engineering at Politecnico di Torino have already taken courses in Statistics and Object Oriented Programming that are equivalent to the LM in Data Science and Engineering. It is therefore advisable to consider other courses offered as an alternative to Statistical Methods in Data Science and Object Oriented Programming.

What is the natural career development of a Data Scientist in addition to Project Manager? Does he/she have the skills to take on more Business roles, perhaps in the future, integrating of course?
Given the close interactions with the management of the company in which he or she works and the in-depth knowledge he or she has to acquire about the application domain, one can, with time, also reach more managerial roles. To fill certain roles (e.g. Chief Data Officer) one obviously needs to integrate with training courses related to the managerial and business components (e.g. an MBA after a few years could be useful).

Having taken a three-year degree in Physical Engineering at the Politecnico, are you at a disadvantage compared to those coming from a three-year degree in Computer Engineering? Are there any exams to integrate before enrolling?
Those coming from a three-year degree course in an information engineering degree class (thus including Physical Engineering) do not have to integrate examinations in order to enter the Master's degree course in Computer Engineering. If there are any gaps, such as in programming or statistics, for example, there is the possibility of supplementing these with the appropriate courses of your choice from those offered in the programme. The only subject on which it might be useful to study something (without having to take and exam) is the part on databases: basic concepts on the relational model and SQL language. Lectures on databases are recorded. Slides and exercises are available on the following site: dbdmg.polito.it

Is there a programming language which it would be preferable to learn before proceeding with registration?
Most courses involve the use of Python. During the first semester, the Python language will be introduced in the initial lessons of the "Data science lab" teaching. So even if you have never used it, it’s not a problem. It is also useful to have some basic knowledge of Java. In the second semester, Java is used at the beginning of "Distributed architectures for big data processing and analytics" to write MapReduce programs for Hadoop. I suggest to those who have never used Java and have not taken courses in object-oriented programming to include Object-oriented programming in their career plan.

Coming from a three-year degree in Computer Engineering (not of PoliTo) would it be better to choose as exam "Statistical methods in data science" or "Computational linear algebra for large scale problems" considering also the usefulness that these can have for later exams?
If, as it happens for those who come from the computer science triennial of Polito, he has never taken courses in statistics and probability it is better to choose "Statistical methods in data science". "Computational linear algebra for large scale problem" is a course that addresses more advanced problems (it is designed for those who come from Engineering Mathematics or Management of Polito and has already given a course in statistics and probability).

Is it possible to take part in one of the dual degree projects offered by the course and at the same time apply for the Scuola Politecnica? Or do the two things not marry?
In general, the two activities are not compatible, as dual degree projects require spending a second year and often an additional six months at the host university. The ASP, on the other hand, provides compulsory courses and presentations even during the second year, difficult to manage for those who are abroad. Any exceptions may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Can I apply for the TOEFL iBT Home Edition?
Yes, see the following link: https://didattica.polito.it/zxd/b5eda0a74558a342cf659187f06f746f/9dde3c1deee7c791026d6a0ac91322bb/c841f11bb1f7fee5e050c0828c377b3e?1627556132137

I am a student with a bachelor’s degree from abroad. I would like to know what the program requirements are for the LM in Data Science offered at PoliTo, to check if I meet the prerequisites required.
A three-year degree in engineering, mathematics or related fields is required. For students with a non-Italian title, the following pages provide detailed information on rules, requirements and general information:

• https://didattica.polito.it/inte/en/apply_msc_step1
• https://didattica.polito.it/inte/en/apply_msc_dead
• https://didattica.polito.it/inte/en/apply_msc_lang
• https://international.polito.it/admission/prospective_students/master_of_science/2023_24/admission_requirements
• https://international.polito.it/admission/prospective_students/tuition_fees

Is it possible to have access to course material for which you are not registered?
If you do not intend to take the course, it is up to the teacher: you can ask for registration of your first year student in order to access the material.

What are the Challenges presented as alternatives to free credits in the study plan?
The Challenges are project-based activities proposed by companies or bodies, carried out by multidisciplinary groups of students. Mechatronics, such as computer scientists, are often very valuable for their skills. The challenges are worth 8 CFU, but of these only 6 can be recognized as a substitute for free credits.

I am attending the first year of LM and at the same time I am in a student team. There is a possibility at the end of the year to request the recognition of 8 CFU for the activity carried out. Is it possible to replace an 8 CFU exam of the second year? If so, should I add it to the teaching load now?
You can ask for the replacement of a free choice course from 6 CFU with the activity carried out with the student team. In that case your study plan will reach 122 CFU of which 2 extracurricular. The replacement of an 8 CFU course with student team activity is not accepted as a request for variation.

Are lessons recorded? Is it possible to enroll in the course as working students?
The majority of teachers record lessons or share recordings from previous years if teaching content is stable. However, the choice is left to individual teachers.

Is it possible to choose two courses from the same table for the second year subjects rather than one for each, as the platform requires me to do in the standard procedure?
You can select two courses from the same table but replacing one of the lessons in the FREE ECTS table. Deleting one of the two tables completely is only possible if you have a very good reason to ask for the deletion of that table instead of replacing one of the lessons from the FREE ECTS table.

When does the Erasmus call for applications come out?
The Erasmus programme generally takes place in the second year of the master's degree course, and the call for applications comes out around December of the first year of the master's degree course. A ranking is drawn up on the basis of an assigned point score (given by the number of semesters of enrolment and the average marks, details on the call for applications) and then the assignments are made.

How to apply for Erasmus?
Do you want to apply for Erasmus? All open calls and mobility opportunities abroad can be found on this page https://www.polito.it/didattica/iscriversi-studiare-laurearsi/studiare-all-estero/bandi-per-mobilita-internazionale-studentesca
ATTENTION to deadlines!

I have been assigned a destination, what should I do now?
The Politecnico has selected you for a mobility period at a specific partner university. After accepting the destination, make sure you have all the necessary documents:

• For EU citizens: you have the right to travel freely in the 27 EU member states, as well as in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland (Schengen area), with a valid national identity card or passport;
• For non-EU citizens: before leaving, you must check with the consular representations in Italy of the country of destination what the requirements are. For information on the Italian immigration desk residence permit;
• Non-Schengen countries: you will need a valid passport and a visa for study purposes may be required (e.g. United Kingdom, Turkey).

For scholarship winners, in order to be able to sign the contract, you must enter your IBAN using the procedure on your personal page of the Didactics Portal > Online Secretariat > Fees and Payments (a current account in your name or jointly in your name or a prepaid card in your name).
For some destinations the university offers free language courses (French A1 and A2, Spanish A1 and A2, Portuguese A1, German A1, Swedish A1). Participation is NOT compulsory.
To sign the contract you have to wait for an email with instructions on how to proceed from the mobility office, indicatively in spring.
Your partner university will contact you by email (or the polytechnic will write to you by ticket/email) to explain the steps you need to take in order to apply for admission (= APPLICATION). You will need to provide your details and submit certain documents, e.g: Nomination letter, Transcript of Records, Recommendation letter, Learning Agreement, etc.

What is the Learning Agreement?
The Learning Agreement (LA) is the founding document of mobility and guarantees the recognition of credits acquired abroad when you return to the Politecnico at the end of your mobility. You must agree it with the support of the academic contact for mobility through the appropriate procedure on the Education Portal (Online secretariat > ‘outgoing mobility’ box) and obtain approval from the partner university.
The portal contains the archive of LAs set up in past years. It is a useful tool for taking inspiration, and it is also possible to filter by state, city, partner university, study cycle, cds, a.y., etc.
In general, the following rules apply:

• Mobility by Courses: View the training offer of the host university and contact academic contacts to submit your LA proposal;
• Double Degree Mobility: a ‘fixed’ course established by the host university, there is a CFU scheme as per Attachment A of the Announcement. LA correspondence details to be defined with academic contact person Polito;
• Mobility for Thesis or C+FP: identify thesis supervisor Polito; agree with the host university on the topic and methods for thesis development and follow regular deadlines/procedures for thesis request as per Student Guide.

For more specific information, please consult the compilation guide available within the LA application on the Portal (“Guide” button).

Can I renounce my mobility?
Yes, you can opt out at any time. It is necessary to download and fill in the CANCELLATION FORM, send it by ticket to the International Mobility Office, specifying the reason. The committee will consider whether or not to impose a sanction, if any. It is also necessary to inform the academic contact person and the host university.
In general:

• If you are a winner of ERASMUS+/IN MOBILITY status only (without a grant), no penalty will be applied and you will be able to apply for other mobility notices
• If you are a grant holder and you renounce your grant, you will incur a penalty of 100 Euros, but you will still be able to apply for other mobility calls;
• If you are a grant winner and you renounce after the signature of the contract, there will be a fine of 200 Euros and you will NOT be able to apply for other mobility calls.

Quando inizia la mobilità?

• Double Degree: Departure is scheduled for the FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR. Duration is 10 to 24 months depending on the assigned university;
• Annual Mobility: Departure is planned for the FIRST SEMESTER. Duration is 8 to 12 months depending on the assigned university;
• Semester mobility (≤ 6 months): departure is scheduled for the semester chosen at the assignment stage. Changes to the semester of departure, if allowed, must be reported via Ticket on the topic ‘Mobility abroad - EU countries’. NB: Semester changes must be approved by the academic contact person.

I have concluded my period abroad, what should I do?
In order to register the end of your mobility, you must hand in all the return documents available at Segreteria Online -> Outgoing Mobility. Upload to ACTIVITY IN PRESENCE DECLARATION -> FORM FOR SELF-CERTIFICATION OF START AND END OF MOBILITY.
For scholarship holders, these documents are indispensable for receiving the balance of the scholarship.

How will credits/exams passed in mobility be recognised?
First of all you need to have a final and approved LA and Transcript of records issued by the host university.
NB: TRANSCRIPT OF RECORDS AND LA MUST MIRROR EACH OTHER.
After receiving the evaluations from the host university, you will need to request the transcript of records to mobilita.studenti@polito.it. The examination recognition process is automatic (Mobility Office -> Academic contact person).
Grades will be converted by the academic contact person on the basis of conversion tables (ask the contact person for the criteria applied) TABLES AND ECTS SCALE IN USE AT THE POLYTECHNIC OF TURIN.

How long should the thesis summary be?
3 pages.

If the thesis has been carried out abroad, is the presence (even remotely) of the supervisor of the foreign university during the discussion mandatory?
No, the presence of the supervisor is not mandatory. It is the internal speaker’s job to attend and report on your thesis work. Sometimes the rapporteur reads a written statement from the external supervisor.

I have already reached an agreement with a company and contacted the trainee manager. If trying to insert the internship in the career plan I receive an error for "module not selectable" is normal and I have to wait for the voicemail to unlock it?
The internship/traineeship cannot be entered directly by the student. The entry is made by the secretariat after receiving the approval from the traineeship contact

Is there a fixed number of hours to be spent in the company for the 12 CFU traineeship?
300 hours.

Is it possible to combine work placement and thesis?
For data science and engineering students the traineeship (12 ECTS) and the thesis (22 ECTS) are two separate activities. It is possible to carry out both the thesis and the thesis in the same company, but two different objectives must be defined. A first objective for the internship and a second objective for the thesis. As two separate activities, many have so far chosen the internship to gain experience in a company and then have done their thesis at university.

If a company offers me a one-year part-time internship contract as a data engineer, is it possible then once the credits necessary to actually start the internship, convert the hours already worked in the company as hours already worked of internship?
The traineeship, before its start, must be approved by the traineeship supervisor who verifies the congruence of the traineeship training project with the objectives of the LM in Data science and engineering. It is not possible to have a job recognized as an internship of 12 CFU. I recommend that you check with the Career Service how to proceed.

How are the 8 points for the final grade of the thesis divided?

• Evaluation of the work done for the thesis: 4 points;
• Presentation of the thesis: 2 points;
• Excellence of the course: 2 points.

It is possible to work for 6 months (900 hours)?  900 hours correspond to 36 CFU. Are 36 or only 12 CFU on the free credits traineeship page?
Yes, the internship can be extended to more than 12 CFU, up to a maximum of 900 hours. Extra credits will be considered as extracurricular.

Is it possible to enter an extracurricular internship and have credits assigned?
No, extracurricular work experience cannot be recognised in your study plan.