CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

The aim of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree Course of the University of Parma is to train junior engineers and provide them with a solid preparation in mathematical, physical and chemical studies and with basic general skills in civil and environmental engineering. Admission to this course of study requires a Secondary School Diploma or other qualification obtained abroad that is recognized as equivalent. Students are also required to show good written and spoken knowledge of Italian, reasoning skills, knowledge of basic mathematics and the foundations of experimental sciences, as well as the ability to use their main results.
According to the current two-level degree structure, this course aims to meet the demands of parallel programmes, one designed for students whishing to attend only a first cycle degree, and the other for students intending to go on to the second cycle degree. In particular, as the University of Parma offers a second cycle degree both in Civil Engineering (category LM-23) and in Land and Environmental Engineering (category LM-35), this course best prepares students for these second cycle degrees and provides admission to them without credit deficits. Moreover, two distinct curricula (civil or environmental) are provided from the third year of course, in order to prepare students for professional training.
The considerable importance given to basic subjects provides graduates continuing their studies with a good foundation in physics and mathematics and with a technical and scientific methodology of study. The professional subjects provide an extensive body of knowledge about the design, realization, maintenance and management of simple public buildings and road and hydraulic infrastructures. The method employed in teaching core subjects aims at developing a methodological approach to solve engineering problems. In order to take into account the interdisciplinary context typical of engineering jobs, the course is designed to provide students with the ability to work both independently and within a work team.
Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry account for about 30% of the total credits and are distributed over the 1st and 2nd year in order to allow the student to assimilate the study contents for sufficient time and to structure the courses so as to respect their correct logical sequence. During this time, students also receive instruction in basic computer science skills and in English.
At the same time, by following the proper sequence, students acquire basic civil and environmental engineering knowledge (in Hydraulics, Construction Science, Technical Drawing, and Geotechnics), supplemented by the interrelated subjects on energy issues and Material Science, to fulfil the educational goals of the programme.
Finally, especially in the 3rd year, students tackle the professional engineering subjects in the field of Civil (Construction Technology, Road and Railway Infrastructures, Technical Architecture) or Environmental Engineering (Waste and drain treatment, georeferencing and elaboration of territorial data, Hydrology).
In the last three years, the course has had an average annual enrolment of 140 students, with 20-25% dropping out or transferring to other courses by the end of the 1st year. The average length of studies is over 4 years; 90% of graduates go on to the second cycle degree.
The main career opportunities for graduates are with:
- companies involved in the construction and maintenance of civil works, civil systems and infrastructures, soil conservation works and monitoring systems;
- professional studios and engineering design companies dealing with construction projects, public buildings and infrastructures, roadways and hydraulic works;
- public offices designing, planning, managing and monitoring urban and territorial systems;
- companies, bodies, consortiums and agencies involved with the management, control and monitoring of the territory and soil conservation;
- technical departments of public and private bodies (i.e., municipalities, provincial government, hospitals).