MSc in Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Department: Civil, Construction-Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Level: Master's

Class: LM23

Internationalization: International degree course

Available Programmes

The University of L’Aquila offers two possible programmes that are entirely taught in English, i.e. “Natural risk mitigation in civil engineering” and “Mechanics of Structures and Fluid/Structure Interactions”

MSc programme in “Natural risk mitigation in civil engineering”

The MSc programme in “Natural risk mitigation in civil engineering” is aimed at providing knowledge and expertise in the typical fields of civil engineering combined with a multidisciplinary approach necessary for the assessment and management of risks emerging from natural hazards. Identification, assessment and management are the key aspects tackled during the course by means of theoretical and physically based models, data analysis methods and remote sensing, in the framework of:
• Seismic Risk
• Flood Risk
• Coastal Risk
• Geotechnical Risk
This programme is aimed at educating professionals able to solve complex real-world problems using appropriate civil engineering tools and techniques, with a transversal and multidisciplinary vision, which allow them to share specific competences within a team of experts dealing with the complexity of natural hazards risk assessment and mitigation.

MSc programme in “Mechanics of Structures and Fluid/Structure Interactions”

The Programme in “Mechanics of Structures and Fluid/Structure Interactions”, provides an in-depth knowledge on the modeling of complex structures and their interactions with fluids. The course is organized in agreement with the University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA) and provides a double Italian/French degree. Students enrolled in UNIVAQ carry out the first year at the University of L'Aquila and the second, including the preparation and defense of the thesis, at UNISTRA. At the end of the first year, students’ performances are assessed, based on the number of acquired credits and grade. The best 5 students are admitted to the second year at UNISTRA, while the other ones are not admitted to participate to the mobility for the double degree and are regularly enrolled at the second year of the programme in “Natural risk mitigation in civil engineering”.

A similar programme is also offered in collaboration with Akaki Tsereteli State University (Georgia).

Master’s graduates in Civil Engineering will gain knowledge and understanding skills aimed at increasing and strengthening the ones concerning the basic sciences acquired during the first-cycle studies, which allow, moreover, to conceive original ideas and develop complex engineering problems, also in a research context. Such outcomes will be achieved through frontal lessons, practical activities and seminars held by university teachers, external professors and professionals of the world of civil engineering, as well as through guided tours of construction sites, manufacturing plants and other places of interest.

MSc Programme in "Natural risk mitigation in civil engineering"

1st year

 2nd year

 Please visit the Course Catalogue for detailed course programmes: https://univaq.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/ 

Programme in "Mechanics of Structures and Fluid/Structure Interactions"

1st year

2nd year

Please visit the Course Catalogue for detailed course programmes: https://univaq.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/

The Master’s graduates in Civil Engineering have an in-depth knowledge of the theoretical-scientific aspects of mathematics and other basic sciences and are able to use this knowledge to interpret and describe complex engineering problems.

In particular, by choosing specific teaching modules, students acquire competencies related to:

• Planning and management of complex systems;
• The advanced design of civil and industrial structures, with particular reference to seismic risk prevention for the protection of existing monuments and buildings;
• Risk assessment and evaluation of the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc. on the environment;
• Design and management of infrastructure systems;
• The advanced design of foundations and support structures.

These objectives can be achieved through various training activities organized in different teaching modules that provide classroom lessons, laboratory activities and individual study or exercises, which give students the possibility to obtain credits by passing the exams.

Role in a work environment:

By virtue of the achieved preparation, Master’s graduates in Civil Engineering acquire the ability to solve complex engineering problems, such as:

• modelling the static and dynamic behaviour of materials and structures, in the linear and non-linear field;
• analysing and developing innovative technological building components and systems;
• designing and realising significant civil and industrial works.
• assessing the risk connected to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.

The acquired knowledge is so strong that graduates can adapt themselves to the evolution of methods, techniques, tools and technologies.

Skills associated with the function

Role competencies:

The training pathway for the Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering comprises competencies well-divided in subjects relevant to the distinctive disciplines of Civil Engineering, along with the ones related to similar cultural areas. The professional opportunities regard the typical sectors of civil engineering, such as buildings in seismic areas, masonry structures, prefabricated metal buildings, bridge construction, wooden buildings, dynamics of structures, foundations, applied geology, site organisation and management, transportation engieering, concrete technology, design of hydraulic structures, seismic and hydrogeological risk assessment, etc.

Further professional opportunities are related to the various activities following the seismic events that hit our territory (surveys, damage investigation, intervention plans, etc.).

Professional status

Professional opportunities:

The professional opportunities of the Master’s graduates in Civil Engineering are oriented towards:

• The planning, design, realisation, management and control of complex building systems;
• The advanced design of civil and industrial structures, with particular reference to seismic risk prevention for the protection of existing monuments and buildings;
• The design and management of infrastructures;
• The study, design and realisation of foundations and support structures;
• The risk assessment connected to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, landslides, etc.

The professional opportunities for Master’s graduates in Civil Engineering range from the liberal profession to the managerial functions at Design firms, Construction companies, Central and peripheral government bodies, regional and local government entities.