Architectural Engineering
The Single Cycle Master’s Construction Engineering-Architecture degree course offers a degree fully in line with Directive 384/85/CEE which sets out the harmonisation of the professional figures in the Architecture sector in member states. The degree course sets out to train professionals able to work in the fields of urban regeneration, architectural redevelopment, building restoration and conservation of the ancient and modern built heritage of historic-artistic interest, and the landscape.
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Type Programme
Single Cycle Master Degree
Type of admission
Restricted access, TEST-ARCHED
Didactic method
In-person programme
Language
Italian
University site
Brescia
Department
Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics
Degree identification category
LM-4 Architecture and Architectural engineering
Study Plan
The Single Cycle Master’s Construction Engineering-Architecture degree course lasts 5 years and envisages the acquisition of 300 University Credits.
Useful links
The Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering – Architecture aims to provide specialised knowledge in the scientific and disciplinary fields of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Graduates of this programme must:
- possess in-depth knowledge of the history of architecture and construction, as well as the tools and forms of representation; and have an understanding of both the theoretical and scientific aspects, as well as the methodological and practical aspects, of mathematics and other basic sciences. They will also be able to use this knowledge to interpret and describe, in depth and using an interdisciplinary approach, complex problems in architecture and civil engineering;
- have an in-depth understanding of aspects relating to architecture, construction, urban planning, architectural restoration and other activities involving the transformation of the environment and the territory;
- have a thorough understanding of the theoretical and scientific, as well as methodological and practical, aspects relating to the disciplinary fields characterising their degree programme, in order to use this knowledge to identify, formulate and solve complex problems in architecture and civil engineering, including in innovative ways and through an interdisciplinary approach;
- possess knowledge in the field of business culture and professional ethics;
- be able to use at least one European Union language other than Italian fluently, both in writing and orally, including the relevant disciplinary and technical vocabulary.
A Master’s degree in Building Engineering and Architecture (Ing. E-A) equips graduates with the skills needed to work professionally in a variety of fields.
Work role:
Besides pursuing freelance work, graduates can assume leadership roles within public institutions, private enterprises, professional firms, and design studios engaged in the construction and redevelopment of urban and territorial spaces.
Key skills:
Graduates are able to design using architectural and civil engineering methods, fully understanding how to make projects feasible and how to manage construction, renovation, and changes to the built environment. They also have solid knowledge of design aesthetics, space planning, structural and technical details, project management, economics, and environmental issues, while staying aware of cultural shifts and modern societal needs.
Career prospects:
Graduates prepare project plans and oversee their execution, coordinating with other specialists and professionals in architecture, civil engineering, urban planning, historic restoration, and building maintenance as needed.
The Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering – Architecture aims to provide specialised knowledge in the scientific and disciplinary fields of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
Graduates of this programme must:
- possess in-depth knowledge of the history of architecture and construction, as well as the tools and forms of representation; and have an understanding of both the theoretical and scientific aspects, as well as the methodological and practical aspects, of mathematics and other basic sciences. They will also be able to use this knowledge to interpret and describe, in depth and using an interdisciplinary approach, complex problems in architecture and civil engineering;
- have an in-depth understanding of aspects relating to architecture, construction, urban planning, architectural restoration and other activities involving the transformation of the environment and the territory;
- have a thorough understanding of the theoretical and scientific, as well as methodological and practical, aspects relating to the disciplinary fields characterising their degree programme, in order to use this knowledge to identify, formulate and solve – including in innovative ways and through an interdisciplinary approach – complex problems in architecture and civil engineering;
- possess knowledge in the field of corporate culture and professional ethics;
- be able to use at least one European Union language other than Italian fluently, both in writing and orally, including specialist and technical vocabulary.
The degree programme for the Master’s degree in Construction Engineering and Architecture, structured as a single five-year cycle, aims to prepare professionals capable of making both cultural and technical contributions to the operational challenges currently involved in the main projects concerning the built environment.
A distinctive feature of the programme is that it offers students a comprehensive and integrated set of knowledge, drawing also from diverse and emerging cultures, whilst preserving their traditional familiarity with the tools of scientific and technical process control.
In addition to the core modules common to all areas of engineering education, specific emphasis is placed on the following disciplines: the history, surveying and representation of buildings; structural design; typological and technological analysis of buildings, the physical and environmental monitoring of buildings, the technical and economic management of the construction process, architectural and urban design culture – with particular attention to conservation and reuse of existing heritage – and the analysis and transformation of urban and territorial contexts.
As part of the programme, students will have the opportunity, through freely chosen examinations, to explore certain subject areas in greater depth.
The Single-Cycle Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture, in fact, and partly on the basis of these elective modules, aims to provide:
- specific expertise in advanced, innovative design – including from a building services engineering perspective – and in the construction of buildings of various types and primary uses, with particular regard to advanced technologies and new materials used in construction and in the restoration of existing built heritage, as well as seismic issues;
- advanced and innovative design skills in the field of construction, covering both traditional techniques for the conservation and restoration of the built heritage and those that are more strictly innovative from a technological perspective, with particular emphasis on fundamental knowledge and in-depth historical and architectural analysis, including through the use of computerised surveying procedures;
- planning and design skills in the field of urban planning and land management.
The work carried out within the design workshops, in accordance with the Decree on Master’s degree programmes, provides students with practical and applied experience.
A significant part of the training within the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree in Building Engineering and Architecture will be linked to the degree thesis, which constitutes the project required for the final assessment. Indeed, in preparing this thesis – which must demonstrate originality and relate to the field of Construction Engineering and Architecture – students must demonstrate not only a mastery of the topics covered, including interdisciplinary aspects acquired within specific interdisciplinary workshops, but also the ability to work independently and effectively in practice.
The curriculum of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture at the University of Brescia has been designed taking into account the specific characteristics of the various disciplinary areas and fulfils the essential learning outcomes set out in the table for class LM-4 of Master’s degrees in Architecture and Construction Engineering and Architecture in the Decree on Master’s Degree Classes and, in particular, the requirement set out therein that ‘the curricula provided for by the class shall comply with Directive 85/384/EEC (updated by Directive 2005/36/EC, editor’s note) and the related recommendations, and shall also include practical and laboratory activities totalling no fewer than forty credits’.
Entry requirements
To be admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture, applicants must hold a upper secondary school leaving certificate or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad that is recognised as suitable.
The Single-Cycle Master’s Degree Programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture has a limited intake in accordance with Article 1 of Law 264/99.
Each year, the Ministry sets the number of students admitted to the degree programme, with a number of places reserved for international students.
Admission to the degree programme requires an entrance test covering the following subjects: general knowledge and logical reasoning; history, drawing and representation; mathematics and physics. The details of the test are set out in the relevant Ministerial Decree concerning ‘the procedures and content of entrance examinations for bachelor’s and single-cycle master’s degree programmes with nationally regulated intake’. This decree sets out a minimum mark required for admission to the programme with limited places. No further thresholds apply.
Admission procedures
To be admitted to the single-cycle Master’s degree programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture, applicants must hold a five-year upper secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad, recognised as suitable under current legislation.
Admission of international students to the degree programme is governed by the “Regulations for the admission of international students to university courses” issued annually by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research. These regulations also set out the procedures for assessing proficiency in the Italian language where such an assessment is required, and the conditions for exemption.
The Degree Programme in Construction Engineering and Architecture operates on a restricted-intake basis, in order to ensure the quality of teaching in relation to available resources. The number of students admitted is determined on the basis of national planning and the availability of teaching staff and teaching facilities (lecture theatres, laboratories).
Admission to the Degree Programme requires an entrance test covering the following topics: general knowledge and logical reasoning; history, drawing and representation; and mathematics and physics. The test specifications are set out in the relevant Ministerial Decree concerning ‘the procedures and content of the admission tests for the degree programme and the single-cycle Master’s degree directly leading to the qualification of Architect (in Italian and English)’. This decree specifies a minimum mark required for admission to the quota-restricted programme. No further thresholds apply.
Students admitted to the programme who demonstrate initial gaps in their knowledge will be assigned an additional learning requirement (OFA), which must be completed during the first year of the programme. The procedures, the timetable for the admission test and the regulations governing the completion of the OFA are published annually on the relevant pages of the University’s website
All information is contained in the call for applications, published on the programme’s web page.
The number of eligible students, the timing, procedures and content of the admission test are determined annually by ministerial decree.
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.
Characteristics of the Final Examination
The final examination consists of the preparation, presentation, and defense before a designated committee of a comprehensive thesis, developed independently and in an original manner. During the preparation for the final examination, the student will be supervised by one or more advisors, with whom the thesis topic will be agreed upon. The student will also be required to take part in activities carried out within the relevant laboratory. If the student has undertaken an internship or placement, the final examination will normally focus on the activities carried out and the results achieved at the host organization (company, institution, or professional body).
The thesis work may be theoretical, experimental, or design-oriented. It represents an opportunity to apply and deepen, also in an interdisciplinary manner, the knowledge and skills acquired; to learn and use new techniques and tools for investigation and analysis; to acquire additional operational skills; and to independently develop frameworks and interpretative models.
The purpose of the final examination is to assess the student’s technical and scientific maturity, the competence and independent judgment acquired in relation to the chosen topic, any innovative contributions made, and the student’s communication skills and effectiveness.
Final Examination Procedures
The final examination is worth 15 ECTS credits. It consists of the preparation, presentation, and defense before a designated committee — established in accordance with the University Teaching Regulations — of a thesis developed independently and in an original manner, with significant personal contribution. If the student has completed an internship, the final examination may concern the activities performed and the results achieved at the host organization (public or private company, research center, university laboratory, institution, or professional body).
The thesis work will include the preparation of a written and/or design report, which may also be drafted in an official language of the European Union other than Italian. For the rules regarding the preparation and submission of the thesis title, the application for admission to the final examination, the submission of the thesis, and the assessment process, reference should be made to the “Regulations for the Master’s Degree Final Examination.”
It is also possible to undertake the thesis work abroad, under the supervision of a faculty advisor from the University of Brescia. In the case of thesis work carried out abroad, the advisor will submit to the Degree Program Board a proposal for the recognition of part of the final examination ECTS credits as being completed abroad. The number of credits awarded may range from 1 to 12 ECTS, depending on the student’s research program and duration of stay abroad. These credits will be recognized as acquired abroad without any formal grade.
Graduation sessions are held according to the calendar approved annually.
Student Advisory Service
Student representatives
Degree programme committees
The teaching regulations specify the organisational aspects of the Course, according to the corresponding system, respecting the freedom of teaching and the rights-duties of professors/lecturers and students.
CENTRE AND CONTACTS
For information on enrolments, fees, transfers, certificates and career
UOCC Segreterie Studenti (Student Administration)
Via S. Faustino 74/B, 25121 Brescia
For information on educational activities
Servizi didattici (Educational Services)
UOC Servizi didattici ingegneria (Engineering Educational Services)
Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia