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MSc in High Performance Computing Engineering
A High Performance Computing (HPC) engineer is a highly specialized professional who:
- Designs, develops, and optimizes advanced computational solutions to tackle the most complex problems in scientific, industrial, and technological domains;
- Operates across the entire supercomputing pipeline: from the mathematical modeling of physical phenomena or real-world data to the development of high-performance software capable of running on parallel and distributed architectures, including the latest quantum systems;
- Integrates numerical and computer science expertise to simulate complex systems, analyze big data, optimize code for advanced computing infrastructures, and implement data science, artificial intelligence, and deep learning models in high-performance computing environments, including quantum computing systems.
Polimi Students
Applicants are automatically admitted if they meet both of the following requirements:
- a weighted average grade (at the time of application) of at least 24/30;
- a Bachelor’s degree from Politecnico di Milano in Computer Engineering, Mathematical Engineering, Physics Engineering, Automation Engineering, or Electronic Engineering.
Applicants who do not qualify for automatic admission (i.e., those coming from other Politecnico di Milano Bachelor’s programs or from other universities, as well as those who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement) will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering their previous academic background, performance, and results. Particular attention will be given to the relevance of completed coursework to the required competencies and knowledge, especially grades obtained in core subjects related to the degree class and preparatory to HPC.
Non-Polimi Students
To be admitted to the MSc in High Performance Computing Engineering, applicants must hold a first-level (Bachelor’s) degree in one of the following classes:
- L7 (Civil and Environmental Engineering),
- L8 (Information Engineering),
- L9 (Industrial Engineering),
- L31 (Computer Science and Information Technologies).
More generally, applicants must hold at least a three-year Bachelor’s degree, corresponding to a minimum of 180 ECTS credits, including:
- at least 20 ECTS in the scientific-disciplinary sectors INF/01 and ING-INF/05 (Computer Science, Computer Engineering);
- at least 20 ECTS in the sectors MAT/01–MAT/09 and SECS-S/01 (Mathematics, Statistics);
- at least 10 ECTS in the sectors FIS/01–FIS/08 (Physics).
If specific gaps are identified in competencies considered essential for undertaking the program, the Admissions Committee may assign additional requirements during the evaluation process. These may consist of mandatory coursework to be included in the study plan (in place of elective courses) or prerequisite requirements (curricular integrations to be completed before enrollment in the Master’s program).
A Bachelor Degree in Computer Science Engineering, Mathematical Engineering or other related fields. Preference to graduates with a solid background in the core disciplines: computer science, applied mathematics, physics, engineering. A Committee will evaluate students with a different background case by case.
The Master’s Degree in HCP Engineering is designed to train professionals with a solid grounding in fundamental scientific methods and core knowledge, along with a broad range of expertise in computer science and information technology.
In particular, the program prepares experts capable of addressing today’s most innovative challenges: from the design of parallel applications based on mathematical and statistical models, to the analysis of complex data in high-performance computing environments, and the development of algorithms and solutions in the emerging field of quantum computing.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will have acquired:
- a strong foundation in discrete and continuous mathematics;
- mastery of the scientific method and data analysis techniques;
- advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in computer engineering;
- expertise in the foundations and applications of quantum computing;
- an understanding of traditional and high-performance computing architectures;
- the ability to design and manage information systems, networks, and complex computing infrastructures;
- effective communication skills and a strong aptitude for innovation and lifelong learning;
- the ability to operate with awareness in industrial and technological contexts.
This program is designed for those who aspire to play a leading role in innovation in high-performance and quantum computing technologies.
From a postgraduate education perspective, the program offers strong opportunities for further study through national and international PhD programs, postgraduate master’s degrees, and specialized courses. These pathways are designed both for academic and research careers at universities and public or private research centers, and for highly qualified positions in industry.
The profile of the high-performance computing engineer is characterized by advanced expertise in the design, management, and use of supercomputing systems (parallel computers and quantum computers), numerical simulation, and the analysis of large-scale complex data. This professional is able to tackle highly complex problems, integrate diverse technologies, develop advanced algorithms, optimize software and computing architectures, and apply machine learning and statistical learning methods in innovative contexts.
Career opportunities are broad and continuously expanding. Graduates find employment in ICT companies, engineering firms, supercomputing centers, high-tech industries, and in the services and consulting sectors, as well as in research and academia. Applications of high-performance computing range from climatology and fluid dynamics for aerospace and energy, to computational chemistry and pharmacology, from medicine and genomics to quantitative finance.
Employment prospects are particularly strong: data related to the Master’s degree class in Computer Engineering show very high job placement rates within a short time after graduation, often even before completing the degree. This program therefore combines a solid scientific foundation with skills that are highly sought after in the global market, offering qualified career opportunities across multiple strategic sectors.
Know more about the programme through a current student’s experience. Book your online one-to-one meeting through #Askastudent – Our voice for your choice project.