International opportunities for students

In the first year, students will attend 7 courses for 60 ECTS:

  • Structural and geotechnical design (12 ECTS)
  • Numerical methods for the environment (9 ECTS)
  • Ecological planning (9 ECTS)
  • Hydrodynamics (12 ECTS)
  • Hydrological modelling (6 ECTS)
  • Urban hydraulic infrastructures (6 ECTS)

Depending on the track

  • Geomatics and remote sensing (6 ECTS) - for track 1 and 3
  • Environmental transport processes (6 ECTS) - for track 2 and 4

Common courses

Structural and geotechnical design (12 ECTS)

This course aims to provide the basic knowledge required for the structural and geotechnical design of reinforced-concrete (r.c.) structures, with particular attention to those with earth retaining function. The course covers the following main topics: earth and pore water pressure; methods for the analysis of the geotechnical failure mechanisms for earth retaining walls; geotechnical investigations and field tests; structural design approaches for r.c. structures oriented to the design of wall, slabs and foundations. At the end of this course, the students will be able to define a geotechnical model and carry out the geotechnical and structural design by limit state approach of r.c. structures with earth retaining function.

Numerical methods for the environment (9 ECTS)

The course introduces the students to the analysis, implementation and application of numerical methods for the solution of differential equations, ordinary ones (ODE) and partial differential equations (PDE) with applications to mechanics. Different approaches are presented (finite difference methods, finite volume methods, semi-implicit methods), with applications to hyperbolic equations (shallow water equations) linear parabolic (heat equation) and elliptic (Poisson) equations, and incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. An important part of the course is dedicated to a computer laboratory in which all methods are implemented in a computer program; some numerical methods will be subsequently used in the course Hydrodynamics.

Ecological planning (9 ECTS)

The course provides knowledge about the content of spatial plans and the main stages of the planning process, with a focus on ecological and environmental sustainability issues. Students will learn to identify and analyze the key information about the biophysical and human environment of a geographical context; to select and apply methodologies and tools to support the formulation of planning options; and to propose ecosystem-based interventions. The course includes a module on the Italian spatial planning system and an introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment processes.

Hydrodynamics (12 ECTS)

The course focusses on the hydrodynamics of free surface flows and is aimed at providing theoretical and practical notions, also through numerical modelling and laboratory experiments, that are required for the assessment and mitigation of hydraulic risk and river engineering design. The course offers an overview of models adopted in environmental hydraulics and provides a detailed knowledge about steady open channel flow with fixed boundaries (gradually varied flow, the role of different control structures and discharge inflow/outflow) and gravity waves in channel flow, with specific reference to flood propagation. The course also provides the fundamentals of sediment transport and river morphodynamics.

Urban hydraulic infrastructures (6 ECTS)

The course aims to provide the engineering students the elements necessary for the characterization of the urban hydraulic infrastructures (water supply and drainage networks) in a systematic perspective focused at facing the increasing pressures imposed by climate change. The course is organized as a series of theoretical lessons in which are provided the knowledge necessary for the hydraulic assessment of pressure and free surface networks, the understanding of the functionality of the main hydraulic devices and the evaluation of appropriate mitigation strategies (Best Management Practices) to reduce the effects of climate changes.

Hydrological modelling (6 ECTS)

The course aims at teaching how to simulate the hydrological cycle at different spatial scales in order to properly manage the water resources and to prevent the flood risk. The importance of these two topics is widely recognized in two EU Framework Directives: "Water" (2000/60/EC) and "Floods" (2007/60/EC). The students will be able to model streamflows, evaporation and transpiration of river catchments of different sizes, reconstructed using digital information. 

Courses to be taken according to track

Tracks 1 and 3:

Geomatics and remote sensing (6 ECTS)

Satellite missions for Earth observations are introduced: global positioning and navigation systems GNSS, optical and radar remote sensing, LASER based systems. Design and realization of control networks, real time GNSS and terrestrial LASER surveys in civil and environmental engineering application fields. Operational and methodological aspects, geometric and radiometric processing by means of geomatics techniques.

Tracks 2 and 4:

Environmental transport processes (6 ECTS)

The course aims at providing the theoretical foundations and the practical notions to tackle environmental processes related to mixing and dispersal of pollutants in water bodies and atmosphere. The physical transport processes (diffusion, turbulent diffusion, dispersion) will be analyzed, with an introduction to turbulence mechanics, together with the most relevant biochemical processes. Students will be able to examine case studies also using numerical models.