Politecnico di Torino

Course Details:

1. Course Name: Machine Learning for Computer Networks
   Replaced Course at Technion: 46195 – מערכות לומדות
   Review: This course features a substantial project that is very manageable if the workload is distributed effectively among four teammates. The practical labs are excellent; they directly complement the lecture material and provide the tools needed to succeed in the project.
   Exam: The final requires dedicated study but is very fair and “doable.”
2. Course Name: Operating Systems
   Replaced Course at Technion: 46209 – מבנה מערכות הפעלה
   Review: The course is built well and clear.
   Exam: The tests are fair; by practicing with past exams and identifying recurring patterns, a high grade is very attainable.
   Prerequisite Note: Taking this at Polito is usually conditioned on completing Computer Architecture (מבנה מחשבים) at the Technion throughout the degree due to mismatch in the material with Technion course.
3. Course Name: Computer Networks
   Replaced Course at Technion: 44334 – רשתות מחשבים ואינטרנט 1
   Review: Unlike the more mathematically-heavy versions of this course, the Polito curriculum focuses on the theoretical-practical aspects of networking, specifically network structures and protocols.
   Exam: While there are fewer past exams available to study from, consistent learning of the protocols and theory leads to success.
4. Course Name: Edge Computing for AI and ML
   Replaced Course at Technion: 236781 – למידה עמוקה על מאיצים חישוביים
   Review: The course material can feel disorganized or unclear during the semester. However, the exam is highly repetitive and mirrors the exercise sheets provided beforehand.
   Pro-Tip: It is highly recommended to take this alongside Machine Learning for Computer Networks. There is significant overlap in concepts, and the ML course provides a theoretical foundation that makes the Edge Computing material much easier to grasp.
5. Course Name: Information System Security
   Replaced Course at Technion: 236350 – הגנה ברשתות
   Status: This course was approved by the CS faculty for credit but was not ultimately taken. It remains a viable option for future exchange students.

Student’s Feedback:

• Academic Feedback:
  The workload at Polito differs significantly from the Technion. There are no weekly homework assignments. Instead, courses feature Labs, which serve as the practical equivalent of homework. This structure significantly reduces the ongoing pressure throughout the semester, allowing for a more balanced schedule.
  
• Course Recommendations:
  Machine Learning for Computer Networks, Computer Networks, Edge Computing for AI and ML, Operating Systems.
• Campus Life:
  Turin has a student association called ESN torino. They host events on daily basis (tandem nights, beer pongs, parties, dinners, sports events) and special events sometimes (trips in Italy, in my case Rome, Genoa and ski trip). It makes it very easy to make friends around the world and the workload at polito allowed me to take advantage of it all. The ESN also manages WhatsApp groups in various subjects such as sport, hiking, traveling, partying and more so it is very easy to find people with the same interests.
• General Feedback:
  The exams dates are published only in the middle of the semester which is inconvenient and you could have two tests at the same time or day after day (I had both situations and both are solvable because there is also second attempt period (“moed b”)).
  The apartment market is very hard, the landlords mostly do not speak English. It took me 12 days of searching while investing all those days to apartment search and in the end, I found with great luck.
  Apartments costs around 1000 euros can be find easily, and around 500-400 euros exist but require effort of searching.
  The studies rooms are super crowded.
  Polito offers dinner and lunches in the university which costs 2.5 euros per meal for nice meal.
  Italian course doesn’t have official course grade just pass or fail but you get an email containing how much you got in the exam (might be enough for the Technion to accept the course).
• Message to Future Students:
  It’s not easy to be Israeli as other nationalities but even if people are a bit unpleased at first look, give them chance to know you. Most of the time I found it’s better not to raise the issues in Israel to educate other people but to tell them about my past and let them feel comfortable to ask questions (it’s way easier to educate someone who wants to listen then someone who’s not). Don’t let the first atmosphere to stop you from making friends around the world, it is truly a unique experience.