OVERVIEW

The course introduces students to civil, architectural and environmental engineering, providing an overview of the methodologies used in engineering practice and developing the essential skills to understand the processes of analysis, interpretation, design and realisation of interventions and works in the respective sectors. The lectures are conducted in seminar format, with the aid of the presentation of case studies where the interdisciplinary nature and the importance, in tackling a real problem, of an overall engineering vision can be inferred. The in-depth study of the topics addressed in the seminars can be the starting point for the elaboration of a Bachelor's thesis.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course is intended as a moment of critical re-elaboration of the contents learned in the chosen training pathway, aimed at fostering the student's ability to complete the understanding of the basic and characterising disciplines, to understand their multidisciplinary interconnections and to apply the acquired knowledge to real engineering problems. In addition, the course, organised in seminar format with contributions from external speakers, provides an initial encounter with the world of work and allows the student a direct dialogue with professionals and experts from public and private bodies, associations and professional orders of the sectors relevant to civil, architectural and environmental engineering.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and active participation in the proposed training activities (frontal lectures in seminar form and group activities) and individual study will enable the students to:

• deepen their knowledge of the basic and characterising disciplines of the degree course, in particular hydraulics and hydrology, construction science and technology, geotechnics and environmental health engineering;
• understand the interconnections between the various disciplines, acquiring an overall view of the engineering problems addressed;
• acquire a critical capacity to process the contents learnt in the training course in order to apply the various skills to real complex problems;
• know the fundamentals of the design of interventions aimed at protecting the natural and man-made environment and the health of the community; the realisation of new building, civil and infrastructural works; the conservation of historical buildings;
• learn about the various occupational fields of the civil, building and environmental engineer, in the public and private sector, coming into direct contact with professionals in the sector;
• orientate the choice of the eventual master's degree course towards the specialisation closest to one's own interests and expectations;
• understand the social, ethical and deontological implications of the profession of civil, building and environmental engineer.

PREREQUISITES

The prerequisites cover the basic and characterising courses of the chosen training pathway.

TEACHING METHODS

The course includes a series of seminars offered by external speakers. At the end of each seminar, there will be a discussion between the students and the speaker for a critical discussion of the content presented.

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it  ), the Polytechnic School's disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course programme includes the presentation and discussion of a series of case studies through the organisation of invited seminars by speakers working in the public or private sector in the civil, architectural and environmental engineering sectors. The seminars are organised annually, also in relation to contingent interventions and opportunities in the area.
The seminars may cover the following topics:
o    monitoring, assessment and management of air and water quality
o    analysis and management of water resources in the natural and urban environment
o    analysis of natural and anthropic processes and their impact on the environment and the territory
o    evaluation of natural risks and their impact on the environment and territory
o    design of hydraulic, maritime, offshore works
o    design of new structures, infrastructures, bridges
o    geotechnical problems and territorial defence works
o    civil works for wind and solar energy
o    analysis, diagnosis and redevelopment of existing buildings
o    planning and management of complex urban systems
o    role, responsibilities and deontology of the engineering profession in civil, building and environmental engineering

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Presentations provided in class by lecturers
• Texts and bibliographical references provided by the lecturers in relation to the topics to be examined (see examination modalities)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Students are required to prepare a written paper developing a topic of their choice from those covered in class. This paper must be written in a format made available to students and sent to the course lecturer at least 10 days before the oral examination. The written paper will be reviewed by the course lecturers and the oral examination will consist of a presentation and discussion of this paper.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students will be assessed on the basis of the written paper they submit to the course lecturer before taking the oral examination. The oral test will consist of a presentation by the student of this written paper, during which the student must show that he/she has acquired sufficient mastery of the subject matter and must be able to hold a discussion with the lecturer.
Working students and students with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning methods.