Università degli Studi di Parma

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  • italian version
First cycle degree

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

COD. 3007
WEBSITE
A.Y. 2016/2017
CLASS:
L-7 - Classe delle lauree in Ingegneria civile e ambientale
Years of study: 3
Credits (CFU): 180
Mode of study: full-time
FREE-ACCESS COURSE

20 places available for Non-EU citizens
including 2 places reserved to Chinese citizens
Preliminary assestment test (not preventing enrolment)
Enrolment: from July 20th 2016, 12.00 h, to September 30th 2016

COURSE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM WITH CREDITS

PERCORSO COMUNE (curriculum)

Year of study: 1

Year of study: 2

Year of study: 3

AMBIENTALE (curriculum)

Year of study: 3

CIVILE (curriculum)

Year of study: 3

Profile of the programme

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).

Admission requirements

Admission to this course of study requires a Secondary School Diploma or other qualification obtained abroad that is recognized as equivalent. Good written and spoken knowledge of Italian is advisable, together with sound reasoning skills, knowledge of basic mathematics and the foundations of experimental sciences, as well as the ability to use their main results. Assessment of knowledge beforehand is conducted by means of a test which aims to provide a guide for orientation, but is mandatory for identifying any credit deficits. To this end, the test conducted nationally by the CISIA (Inter-University Centre for Access to Engineering and Architecture Schools) is used. Visit the following links for more information: http://www.cisiaonline.it and http://www.cedi.unipr.it/testCISIA). Students who display considerable deficits in these tests are asked to undertake Additional Training Obligations (OFAs) which must be solved by sitting Mathematical Analysis 1 as the first exam. In order ensure all the students enrolled in the course to have a common knowledge base, regardless of the secondary school of origin, the course organizes about 3 weeks of classes in September (pre-courses in mathematics). Such courses allow students to fill any gaps in knowledge of mathematics. At the end, a TOLC session of the CISIA test is held to grant another opportunity to students who failed the CISIA test. In order to help students who have received the OFAs (Additional Training Obligations), the pre-course in mathematics is repeated again during the 1st teaching period. In addition, during the second teaching period, the Mathematical Analysis 1 course is repeated in a condensed form to help students pass the summer session re-sits if they failed the examinations session.

Key learning outcomes

The specific 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. 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 and in Land and Environmental Engineering, this course best prepares students for these second cycle degrees and provides admission to them without credit deficits.
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.
The cultural and professional profile of the Civil and Environmental Engineering graduate is a technical specialist with suitable background knowledge, and thorough knowledge of the basic subjects and key subjects of the civil structures and infrastructures, and of environmental works conducted in the area. This knowledge allows students to design simple civil works, to plan work in the area and to manage civil works.

The Course
The course is geared towards providing a solid background in Physics and Mathematics, and subsequently a wide spectrum of knowledge in the key fields of civil and environmental engineering.
The Course is divided into 4 learning areas.
1. Basic technical and scientific knowledge
2. Basic and complementary engineering knowledge
3. Engineering knowledge related to the professional sphere
4. Complementary computer and communication skills
The first area covers training in the subjects of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Geology; it accounts for approximately 30% of the total credits, distributed in the 1st and 2nd year of the course to allow sufficient time for assimilation, and to structure the sequence of courses in a preparatory manner. The second area provides an introduction to the engineering-based approach to problem solving, the mechanics of solids and fluids and the ability to represent the construction. It provides additional knowledge regarding materials and management of heat exchanges in preparation for subsequent studies. The third area includes the teaching of subjects with a more professional slant, for applications to construction techniques, highway infrastructures, forecasting flood events and topographical survey techniques for civil engineering. The fourth area runs parallel to the previous areas and provides an introduction to technical communication as well as supplying skills in basic computing and a basic grounding in English.

Final examination, if any

The examination aims to assess the candidate's ability to analyse one of the topics covered in the Degree Course subjects, or alternatively to draft a project on the subjects handled in one or more of the key course subjects. The examination may involve the candidate’s presentation of the thesis to the Board. Assessment of the final examination is entrusted to a Degree examination Board which evaluates the work conducted and awards the degree grade. Once the Board has ascertained the level of autonomy and mastery of specific methods achieved by the candidate, it awards the final grade.