MD Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Master's degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering is designed to provide advanced knowledge and interdisciplinary understanding in the main fields of civil, environmental, and territorial engineering. Specifically, it prepares students for the design and management of hydraulic works and land protection, sanitary-environmental systems, urban and extra-urban transport systems, environmental surveying, urban regeneration, and building rehabilitation; for the design and management of urban and territorial planning, programming, and design at different scales, as well as for the evaluation of plans, projects, and technological systems; and for high-level technical-administrative and technical-commercial management roles within public administrations, companies, public and private entities, and professional studios.

Graduates will particularly be able to operate in highly international contexts such as companies with offices in multiple countries, large professional contracts abroad, projects funded by structural funds, and more.

The course prepares for the profession of senior engineer, a qualification achievable only after passing the state exam and registering in Section B of the Professional Register. In particular, it qualifies for the professions of (ISTAT codes) Hydrologists - (2.1.1.6.5), Civil and Environmental Engineers - (2.2.1.6.1), Hydraulic Engineers - (2.2.1.6.2), Planners, Landscape Architects and Specialists in Land Recovery and Conservation - (2.2.2.1.2), Researchers and Technicians graduated in Civil Engineering Sciences and Architecture - (2.6.2.3.1).

The main functions of the professional figure are: freelance profession as a senior engineer, with tasks of design and coordination in planning, design, and management; employee of public entities, with managerial functions; employee of private companies and organizations, with managerial functions.

The competencies associated with the role include design and management of hydraulic works and land defense, sanitary-environmental systems, urban and extra-urban transport systems, and environmental monitoring; design and management for planning, programming, and urban and territorial design at different scales, as well as the evaluation of plans, projects, and technological systems; design and management of building restoration, both of historical heritage and low-quality recent buildings, and urban regeneration at different scales; high-level technical-administrative and technical-commercial management within public administrations, companies, public and private entities, and professional firms.

Employment opportunities for graduates of the Master's Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering include activities to be carried out independently and innovatively, related to the design and management of hydraulic works and land defense, sanitary-environmental systems, urban and extra-urban transport systems, and environmental monitoring; activities of design and management for planning, programming, and urban and territorial design at different scales, as well as the evaluation of plans, projects, and technological systems; activities of design and management of building restoration, both of historical heritage and low-quality recent buildings, and urban regeneration at different scales; activities of high-level technical-administrative and technical-commercial management within public administrations, companies, public and private entities, and professional firms.

The course enables qualification for the following regulated professions: civil and environmental engineer.

The course prepares for the profession of (ISTAT codes): Hydrologists - (2.1.1.6.5), Civil and Environmental Engineers - (2.2.1.6.1), Hydraulic Engineers - (2.2.1.6.2), Planners, Landscape Architects, and Specialists in Land Recovery and Conservation - (2.2.2.1.2), Researchers and Technicians graduated in Civil Engineering Sciences and Architecture - (2.6.2.3.1).

Educational objectives
The Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering lasts two years and aims to provide students with:

• The ability to use knowledge of methodological and operational aspects of mathematics, physics, and chemistry to interpret and describe engineering problems;
• Adequate knowledge of methodological and operational aspects of earth sciences, geomatics, drawing and representation, and urban and territorial analysis;
• Adequate knowledge of methodological and operational aspects of hydrology, sanitary-environmental engineering, and urban planning;
• The ability to identify, formulate, and solve problems using updated methods, techniques, and tools, particularly those related to digital cartographic representation;
• The ability to use techniques and tools for designing components, systems, and processes for environmental assessment and monitoring;
• The ability to conduct experiments and analyze and interpret data;
• The ability to understand the impact of engineering solutions in social and physical-environmental contexts;
• Knowledge of professional and ethical responsibilities;
• Knowledge of business contexts and corporate culture in economic, managerial, and organizational aspects;
• Relational and decision-making skills;
• The ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, in at least one European Union language besides Italian;
• The cognitive tools necessary for continuous updating of personal knowledge.

English language requirement:
Knowledge of English at least at B2 level is required for admission to the Master’s degree; therefore, no credits are reserved for acquiring such skills.

Course organization and graduate profile

• The Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering has a single curriculum.
• Graduates must be able to understand issues and interactions across various disciplinary fields to intervene using appropriate engineering science methodologies to solve operational aspects of engineering activities.
• Graduates must also understand evolving environmental challenges and contribute to addressing current issues in land management and environmental impacts of human works (plans and projects).
• Graduates must be able to operate in highly international contexts such as companies with offices in multiple countries, large professional contracts abroad, projects funded by structural funds, etc.

Specific skills graduates must have:

• Perform activities related to the design of civil works and infrastructures, considering their interaction with the environment and territory;
• Operate in the fields of territorial knowledge, urban fabric, and building artifacts;
• Economically and environmentally assess urban plans, building processes, civil works, productive processes, and existing infrastructures;
• Carry out technical-administrative activities related to civil works, land governance, and environmental evaluations in public administrations;
• Work in hydraulic infrastructures, sanitary-environmental engineering systems, transport systems, urban and territorial planning;
• Design civil works and infrastructures resilient to natural risks, primarily seismic and hydrogeological instability;
• Design buildings with low environmental impact and low energy consumption;
• Intervene on existing buildings through restructuring and structural rehabilitation;
• Conduct experiments and analyze data in technical analysis laboratories;
• Use internationally standardized design support software;
• Manage and coordinate construction site activities.

Course structure

• First year: The student attends six semester courses of 9 credits each, mainly core subjects of the Master’s Degree. These courses provide the first part of the theoretical-scientific content of the curriculum, alongside some complementary activities. The first year also includes a free-choice exam.
• Second year: The student attends semester courses of 6 and 9 credits each, covering core and related subjects. These courses complete the theoretical-scientific content and provide advanced design and management skills. The second year concludes with the final exam.

Admission Requirements

• To enroll in the Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree (3-year degree) or equivalent foreign qualification recognized as suitable.
• Admission is subject to meeting curricular requirements and an assessment of the candidate’s personal preparation. This assessment is carried out as specified below.
• Any required curricular integrations must be completed before the evaluation of personal preparation.

Curricular Requirements

• Graduates from the Italian system under DM 270/04 or the previous DM 509/99 can be admitted if they have earned a minimum number of CFU (university credits) in specific disciplinary areas and scientific-disciplinary sectors (SSD), as detailed in the course’s Academic Regulations.
• These requirements are modeled primarily on the Bachelor’s degrees in Civil Engineering and Environmental and Land Engineering (both class L-7) from the University of Brescia but are broad enough to allow admission to graduates from other similar programs at different universities, provided they share a significant portion of foundational and core content.
• For holders of a three-year university diploma or degrees obtained before DM 509/99 (where courses are not quantified in CFU), or foreign qualifications, the curricular requirements are verified case by case based on the previous studies and their contents.
• The CCSA (Course Committee) may impose specific constraints on study plans for students enrolled in the Master’s Degree, as described in the Academic Regulations.
• Knowledge of English at least at the B2 level is also required. Further language requirements and verification methods are defined in the Academic Regulations.

Admission Procedures

• The verification of curricular requirements may consider equivalences between CFU earned in the student’s previous academic career and the CFU required in the indicated scientific-disciplinary sectors, as specifically approved by the CCSA.
• The CCSA may assign individualized study plans or impose conditions on the study plan formulation to reflect prior learning and recognize previously earned credits for potential shortening of the Master’s degree duration.
• If a candidate lacks the required curricular requirements, the CCSA will specify the necessary curricular integrations (additional CFU or specific courses) to be completed before reapplying.

Specific Cases in Curricular Verification

1. Candidates who obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Environmental and Land Engineering at the University of Brescia under DM 509/99 are considered to have implicitly fulfilled the curricular requirements.
2. Candidates holding degrees under the Italian systems DM 509/99 or DM 270/04 require verification of curricular requirements through examination of their previous academic curriculum, with possible simplified procedures for recognizing equivalencies.
3. Candidates with degrees obtained before DM 509/99 undergo detailed verification of previous academic records, with possible correspondences established between passed exams and required scientific-disciplinary sectors.

Assessment of Personal Preparation

• Personal preparation is assessed based on the grade obtained in the qualifying degree and the candidate’s English proficiency.
• Candidates with a first-level degree from the Faculty of Engineering at this University are assessed solely on their English language knowledge, which must be at least B2 level of the CEFR.
• Candidates with degrees from other Italian universities are assessed on both English proficiency (minimum B2 CEFR level) and the degree grade (minimum 85/110 or 77/100).
• Candidates whose preparation is deemed inadequate will not be admitted to the Master’s Degree program.

Incoming Orientation

• The degree program participates in orientation initiatives organized both at the university-wide and macro-area levels.
• These initiatives are detailed on a dedicated page of the University portal, which also provides access to specific initiatives by macro-area.
• Coordination is handled by a working group composed of the Rector’s Delegate for Orientation, Department Delegates for Orientation, and staff from a dedicated organizational unit (U.O.C. Orientation).
• The design and delivery of orientation activities by the U.O.C. are certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard.
• Regular activities, news, and updated initiatives can be found on the dedicated Orientation webpage.

Orientation

Ongoing Orientation 

• Tutoring initiatives are organized at the university level according to the annual tutoring plan, defined each year by the University Tutoring Commission and approved by the Academic Senate.
• The Tutoring Service supports ongoing orientation with the goal of improving student progression and identifying issues that lead to dropouts.
• The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified according to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard.
• Tutoring services are provided within the framework of student rights support by a dedicated organizational unit.

Tutoring

Final Examination Characteristics

• The final exam consists of the preparation, presentation, and discussion of a comprehensive thesis before a designated committee, constituted according to the University Academic Regulations.
• The thesis must be developed independently and originally, with significant personal contribution.
• During preparation, the student is assigned one or more supervisors to agree on the thesis topic.
• If the student has completed an internship or traineeship, the final exam will normally focus on the activities carried out and results achieved at the host institution (public or private company, research centers, university labs, institutions, professional bodies).
• The thesis work involves writing a written and/or project report, which must be in English as per the course regulations.
• The preparation work can be theoretical, experimental, or design-oriented, providing an opportunity to apply and deepen acquired knowledge, learn and use new investigative and analytical techniques, gain operational skills, and independently develop frameworks and interpretative models.
• The final exam aims to evaluate the student’s technical-scientific maturity, competence, understanding, autonomy of judgment, ability to apply knowledge and skills, any innovative contributions through independent research, technical ability, and communication effectiveness.

Final Examination Procedure

• The final exam includes preparation, presentation, and discussion of the Master's thesis by the candidate.
• The thesis is an original written and/or graphic work based on design, study, and research activities demonstrating mastery of the subject, independent problem-solving skills of significant complexity, and good communication ability.
• Admission to the final exam requires the acquisition of all required credits except those obtainable through the exam itself.
• Only students who have complied with the teaching evaluation procedures may be admitted.
• Procedures for applying to the final exam, exam conduct, and evaluation criteria are detailed on the University website under “Degree exams, forms and deadlines – Engineering,” the CCSA regulations for the final exam in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the University Academic Regulations.
• It is possible to complete the thesis abroad under the supervision of a University of Brescia professor.
• For theses done abroad, the supervisor proposes to the Study Council recognition of part of the credits related to the final exam.
• Credit recognition may vary from 1 to 9 CFU depending on the research program and duration abroad; credits recognized abroad are accepted without further evaluation.
• Graduation sessions are held according to the annual approved calendar.