MD Land and Environmental Engineering

The Master’s program in Environmental and Territorial Engineering is designed to prepare professionals who can tackle the constantly changing environmental challenges and understand how different disciplines interact in this field. Graduates will be equipped to address today’s pressing issues related to land management and the environmental impacts of human activities, such as planning and construction projects.

With a strong interdisciplinary background, graduates can work in designing, planning, building, and managing a wide range of systems and projects. This includes monitoring and controlling land, cities, and industrial areas; urban and regional planning at various scales; hydraulic and land protection works; treatment plants for wastewater, waste, and emissions; water supply systems; cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites; urban and regional transportation; and managing natural resources, energy, and renewable energy projects.

Career opportunities are diverse and include environmental technology companies, businesses from other industries that need to manage environmental, energy, and safety concerns, public organizations (like regional and local governments, health and environmental agencies, energy authorities, civil protection, and water management consortia), utility companies, engineering firms, professional consulting, and research institutes.

The program lasts two years and requires earning 120 credits (CFU) through a mix of core subjects, related and supplementary courses, electives, and preparation for the final thesis.

The professional profile focuses on a graduate in Environmental and Land Engineering who is prepared to work either as a senior freelance engineer—after passing the state exam and registering with the professional board—or as a professional within public or private sector organizations.

Role in a work context:
The main responsibilities of this professional include:

• working independently as a senior engineer, handling design, coordination, planning, and project management;
• serving in managerial roles within public institutions;
• holding managerial positions in private companies and organizations.

Skills related to the role:
A master’s graduate in Environmental and Land Engineering needs to grasp the constantly changing environmental challenges and how different fields interact, so they can effectively tackle current issues in land management and the environmental effects of human activities. They should be able to apply engineering methods to solve the practical problems they encounter on the job.

More specifically, they should be able to:

• design civil and infrastructure projects, especially in hydraulic and sanitary engineering;
• manage and oversee construction sites;
• assess the economic costs and environmental impacts of urban plans, civil works, production processes, and existing infrastructure;
• handle administrative technical duties related to civil works, land management, and environmental evaluations within public agencies;
• work in managing hydraulic systems, sanitary-environmental engineering, urban infrastructure, and transportation networks;
• understand and work with territorial data, urban environments, and building structures;
• carry out experiments and analyze data in technical labs;
• use software tools to support the design process.

Career opportunities:
A master’s degree in Environmental and Land Engineering qualifies graduates for professional certification as:

• Civil and Environmental Engineer
• Agronomist and Forester

The Master’s Degree program in Environmental and Land Engineering is a two-year course designed to train professionals capable of understanding and addressing current environmental and territorial challenges, using interdisciplinary knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, earth sciences, geomatics, hydrology, sanitary engineering, and urban planning.

Graduates will be able to design civil and infrastructure works (with particular focus on hydraulic and sanitary engineering projects), manage construction sites, assess economic and environmental impacts, perform technical-administrative tasks within public administrations, and oversee urban infrastructures and systems. They will also be skilled in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and using software tools to support design activities.

The program is structured over two years: the first year primarily covers fundamental theoretical and scientific courses and includes an elective exam; the second year focuses on advanced core and related subjects, emphasizing design and management skills, and concludes with a final exam.

For more details, please refer to the official Italian webpage.

For detailed information on how to apply and the admission requirements for the Master's Degree in Environmental and Territorial Engineering, please visit the Italian page.

Orientation for Incoming Students

The degree program actively participates in orientation initiatives for prospective students, organized both at the University level and within individual engineering macro-areas. Full details are available in the dedicated section of the University website, where students can also find information about specific activities offered by each macro-area. These initiatives are coordinated by a working group consisting of the Rector’s Delegate for Orientation, departmental delegates, and staff from the University Orientation Office (U.O.C. Orientation). The design and delivery of these activities are certified to UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standards.

Students can find up-to-date information on regular activities and upcoming events on the Orientation page.
 

Ongoing Support During the Program

Tutoring services are provided at the University level as part of an annual plan developed by the University Tutoring Committee and approved by the Academic Senate. The Tutoring Service supports students in progressing with their studies and helps identify and resolve issues that could affect student retention. The service is certified to UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standards and is managed by a dedicated unit within the University’s student support services.

Tutoring

Final Exam Description

The final exam involves preparing, presenting, and discussing an extensive thesis before a designated committee, formed according to the University’s academic regulations. The thesis must be developed independently and originally, demonstrating a significant personal contribution. During preparation, the student will be guided by one or more advisors who will help agree on the thesis topic.

If the student has completed an internship or placement, the thesis will usually focus on the work done and results achieved at the host organization, such as a public or private company, research center, university lab, or professional body. The thesis consists of a written and/or design report, which may be written in any European Union language other than Italian, as specified by the study program’s rules.

Preparing the thesis—whether theoretical, experimental, or project-based—is an opportunity to apply and deepen the knowledge and skills gained, including interdisciplinary approaches. It also involves learning new techniques and tools, developing practical skills, and independently creating interpretive frameworks.

The final exam aims to evaluate the student’s technical and scientific maturity, competence, understanding, and independent judgment; their ability to apply knowledge and skills; any innovative contributions from their independent research; technical proficiency; and communication skills.

Final Exam Procedure

The final exam involves preparing, presenting, and discussing the Master’s thesis—an original written and/or visual work based on design, research, and study. The thesis should show a solid understanding of the topic, the ability to independently solve complex problems, and effective communication skills.

To be admitted to the final exam, students must have completed all the required credits of their study program, except those linked to the final exam itself. Only students who have followed the teaching evaluation procedures will be allowed to take the exam.

Details on how to apply for graduation, the exam process, and grading criteria can be found on the University’s website under “Graduation exams, forms, and deadlines – Engineering,” as well as in the Final Exam Regulations issued by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree Program Council.

Students can also complete their thesis abroad, supervised by a University of Brescia advisor. In these cases, the advisor may recommend to the Degree Program Council to recognize some of the credits for the final exam earned abroad.

Depending on the research project and time spent abroad, between 1 and 9 credits (CFU) may be granted, fully counted without additional assessment.

Graduation sessions follow a yearly approved schedule.