Corso di laurea in Ingegneria Civile

The Bachelor course in Civil Engineering at the University of Messina, without any limitation on the number of enrolments, aims to form graduates with a theoretical background in methodological aspects of basic sciences as well as with operative skills suitable for practice, including design, manufacturing, maintenance, and project management in different fields of civil engineering.
Course contents, despite being based on traditional subjects, include the application of advanced and up-to-date methods, techniques, and tools, in accordance with modern technical regulations. The transferred wealth of knowledge is useful to establish professional collaborations with other experts operating in the field of civil constructions within both a national and international context.

The course has a twofold objective: on the one hand, a deep understanding of the fundamental subjects of engineering, which is necessary for the continuation of the studies in following Master courses; on the other hand, a comprehensive knowledge of the methodological/operative aspects, which are necessary for performing professional activities involved in practice, including planning, designing and execution of interventions and works ranging from the territory scale to the single structure/element.
Entry requirements for this course, without any limitation on the number of enrolments, are the secondary school diploma obtained in any Italian or foreign country, which is considered appropriated by the competent University bodies.
Assessment of personal skills is made through opportune test or equivalent alternatives. Should the personal skills be considered not sufficient, supplemental educational requirements are established and must be accomplished within the first year of course.
Specific educational objectives will be achieved through a mix of basic knowledge, which is essential in the education of civil engineers, learning goals having a more technical/practical nature, combined with integrative subjects that further complete the profile of the professional graduate at the end of the course.
The course comprises three years whose contents can be summarized as follows:
- the first year, which is a foundation year aimed to transfer the fundamental knowledge in the field of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and graphical representation. All these aspects are preparatory for following years.
- the second year encompasses advanced principles of calculus to complete the fundamental knowledge, followed by more professional subjects related to constructions, environmental engineering, technology, and territory.
- the third year differs according to the three different tracks ('Strutture ed Infrastrutture', 'Edilizia Sostenibile' and 'Design of Civil Structures', the latter done in english) where both professional and other integrative subjects that will give the overall course a markedly practical character.
The classes also include:
- laboratory exercises, aimed at the knowledge of experimental methods.
- practical activities oriented to analysis and problem-solving, to knowledge of infrastructures, systems, and facilities, as well as natural and anthropic phenomena and processes.

Students will have the opportunity to undertake a part of their education abroad through Erasmus programs in one of the institutions that have entered into a bilateral agreement with the University of Messina and are listed in the framework B5.
Training activities (internships) are carried out in public or private companies, in construction firms or in transnational bodies, and can be performed through suitable international programs as well. These activities facilitate the development of awareness on future professional preferences via the direct knowledge of the activities in a workplace related to the field of study and prove themselves particularly

To be eligible for enrolment in undergraduate degree programmes in the Italian University system, students must be at least 17 years old and have completed 12 years of schooling, as certified by adequate administration.
Verification of initial preparation takes place by means of online tests (ENGLISH TOLC-I Online Test for Enrolment in Engineering Courses) prepared by CISIA, which organizes and manages the national test for access to courses of study in Engineering at all consortium university locations.
The structure of the English TOLC-I includes 50 questions divided into 4 sections:
-Mathematics: 20 questions
-Logic: 10 questions;
-Sciences: 10 questions;
-reading comprehension: 10 questions.
Students who achieve an overall score greater than or equal to 18 of the ENGLISH TOLC-I test are enrolled without debt Additional Educational Obligations (OFA).
Failure to achieve the minimum score does not compromise the student's enrollment in the Civil Engineering course at the University of Messina but does result in the assignment of OFA debt.
The OFA debt is discharged by passing a specific test (OFA test) or by passing the examination of Mathematical Analysis 1 (SSD MATH-03/A, ex MAT/05) delivered the first year of the course. The session scheduling of the OFAT test, with same structure of the ENGLISH TOLC-I, is provided in the website of the Department of Engineering.
The fulfillment of OFA debt must, however, take place within the first year of the course. Failure to pass any OFA debt within the first year implies students cannot enroll to the second year of the course but should repeat the first one.
The information about ENGLISH TOLC-I is available at: https://international.unime.it/study-us/tolc-test-online-cisia
The calendar can be found at the following LINK: https://testcisia.it/calendario.php?tolc=ingegneria&l=gb&lingua=inglese

The Civil Engineering Degree Program trains graduates with the ability to understand the methodological aspects of basic sciences and civil engineering sciences, in order to possess the operational skills necessary to carry out professional activities, including contributing to design, production, maintenance, and management activities in various sectors of civil engineering.

This training involves the application of up-to-date methods, techniques, and tools, consistent with regulatory requirements and fully sufficient to enable professional collaboration with highly educated stakeholders in the civil construction sector, using advanced and innovative work procedures. Specifically, graduates must:

- have adequate knowledge of the methodological and operational aspects of mathematics and other basic sciences useful for describing and interpreting engineering problems;
- deepen your understanding of certain methodological and operational aspects of civil engineering sciences, in order to identify, formulate, and resolve the most common problems using modern methods, techniques, and tools updated to current regulations;
- use basic engineering techniques to simulate phenomena of interest and to design, verify, and maintain components and systems, including using integrated digital modeling procedures;
- be able to understand the environmental impact of adopted solutions, as well as the resilience of materials and components to aging and degradation;
- be able to interact with information technologies and understand the most appropriate methodologies for monitoring, recording, and processing data;
- be able to conduct experimental analyses, examining and interpreting the final results;
- possess the basic cognitive tools for continuously updating their knowledge.

The training activities, also offered in English, include:
- activities dedicated to the acquisition of methodological and operational knowledge in mathematical analysis, physics, geometry, electrical engineering for construction and construction sites, chemistry applied to building materials and graphic representation, and rational mechanics, in order to acquire the tools necessary to interpret and control the most common problems in civil engineering.
- activities dedicated to the acquisition of methodological and operational knowledge in the core disciplines of civil engineering that build on the mathematical and physical studies of the previous year, such as structural science, environmental physics, technical architecture, and topography.
- activities dedicated to the acquisition of methodological and operational knowledge in related and complementary disciplines.

In this regard, there are three different programs: the first, taught in Italian, focuses primarily on civil engineering disciplines; the second, also taught in Italian, focuses primarily on construction; the third, taught in English, focuses primarily on territorial issues.
There are, however, a common core of courses, such as hydraulics, soil mechanics, the second module of building science, and construction techniques.
The civil program includes disciplines related to road infrastructure design, geotechnics, a further study of hydraulics, and the dynamic aspects of the behavior of load-bearing structures.
The construction program, on the other hand, includes courses on architectural survey techniques, the study of architectural history, architectural restoration techniques, and urban planning.
The English program focuses primarily on territorial issues, such as infrastructure design in a BIM environment, the hydraulics of natural systems, foundations and retaining structures, and their seismic response.

Transversal skills are also promoted, especially those related to engineering disciplines, including:
- understanding the impact of proposed solutions on the social, economic, and physical-environmental context;
- knowledge of one's professional and ethical responsibilities;
- interpersonal and decision-making skills;
- the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Theoretical aspects are complemented by exercises and laboratory activities that develop the ability to operate in the field of medium-complexity civil and building construction using standard calculation models.

Internships, placements at companies, public or private institutions, and professional associations, and the final exam contribute to the completion of the program's educational objectives.
The curriculum is therefore structured as follows:
- in the first year, students acquire fundamental knowledge in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and graphic representation, providing a solid foundation for subsequent studies;
- in the second year, students complete several mathematical subjects, which provide the necessary foundation for providing engineering knowledge related to construction, the environment, technology, and land management;
- the third year is differentiated according to the three different study paths ('Structures and Infrastructures', 'Sustainable Construction', and 'Design of Civil Structures'), where the core subjects are complemented by related and supplementary training activities, giving the program a distinctly applied focus.

Role in a work context:
Technician with general training ensuring mastery of the methods and technologies required to work, including collaboratively, in areas such as the design, construction, maintenance, and management of civil engineering projects.
Graduates of this class will also have a solid foundation of knowledge preparatory to subsequent specialization and professional development attainable through postgraduate study programs.

1. Designer of new or existing projects requiring ordinary or extraordinary maintenance of medium complexity, in compliance with the technical regulations governing the main aspects of the project (urban planning, architectural, systems, structural, infrastructural, energy, geotechnical, and hydraulic).
2. Project Manager in the subsequent construction phase for small-scale projects, or, in any case, assist the Project Manager in the case of significant projects through roles recognized by current Public Works legislation, such as Site Inspector and Operations Manager.
3. Technical roles within public administrations with project oversight and verification duties in accordance with current regulations.
4. Technical and accounting director on behalf of construction companies.

To practice as a freelancer and use the title "junior civil and environmental engineer," registration in the professional register of the Order of Engineers, Section B, Sector a) Civil and Environmental, and passing the relevant state exam are required.
5. Safety coordinator during the design (CSP) and execution (CSE) phases of medium-sized projects.
This qualification is required following a 120-hour course, pursuant to Legislative Decree 81/2008.
To achieve greater levels of responsibility or to design, manage, and supervise significant projects, additional skills must be acquired through further training programs, such as a master's degree.

Skills associated with the role:
1. Specific skills appropriate for the various levels of integrated civil/building design. These theoretical and practical skills define a professional capable of participating in all phases of the process from the conception to the construction of a project.
2. Skills related to the administrative aspects of the construction sector, environmental, landscape, and territorial protection at various scales, and the interpretation and application of mandatory and guiding regulations (building regulations, urban planning tools, regulations on seismic construction, geotechnics, road and hydraulic construction, etc.).
3. Specific skills for controlling the entire production process on a temporary and mobile construction site, with particular attention to technical-economic management and safety aspects.
4. Skills in the construction materials sector (monitoring, control, testing) and in structural and functional diagnostics, in light of relevant Italian and European standards.

Career Opportunities:
Graduates possess the knowledge necessary to pursue professional activities in various civil engineering fields, in accordance with legislative requirements, such as professional firms, consulting and design firms, manufacturing or service companies, public and private entities, and managers and concessionaires of works, networks, and services. These activities, also carried out in collaboration with other professionals, include planning, design, production, redevelopment and recovery, maintenance and management, technical assistance for structures with economic, productive, and social functions, risk analysis, and safety management during prevention and emergency phases for infrastructure, construction sites, workplaces, industrial environments, and public and private entities. Responsibilities are required by law regarding worker health and safety, construction site safety, and fire safety.
Generally speaking, graduates, by virtue of their acquired scientific skills, are capable of leading to career opportunities recognized by the Associations of Engineers.
Although the Civil Engineering program is designed to provide graduates with the training needed to perform the professional activities typical of a junior engineer, it is geared toward a possible continuation of their studies into a master's degree program.
The English-language program, based on a strong acquisition of general skills related to the core subjects, can easily be used internationally for immediate placement.