Product and Process Industrial Techniques

The First Cycle degree course in Product and Process Industrial Techniques lasts 3 years and sets out the acquisition of 180 university credits.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM

The industrial and manufacturing sector in the province of Brescia is characterised by a wide range of companies, ranging in size from small to large enterprises (with a higher concentration of small and medium-sized enterprises), operating in a variety of sectors: metalworking, metallurgy, automation systems integration, materials processing, machine tool manufacturing, home automation systems, consultancy and implementation of automation solutions, plant management and energy efficiency, and many others. Discussions with local industry and sector associations have revealed a shared need for a new type of professional: a graduate technician with expertise in the industrial areas of greatest relevance to our industrial region, whose training is strongly focused on practical applications and who, after three years, is ready to enter the labour market. In this context, the aim of the degree programme is to train qualified engineers with a sound knowledge of industrial techniques, capable of contributing to activities such as product and plant design, the analysis and management of production or processing processes, risk analysis and safety management. The programme includes laboratory activities designed to provide specific skills for simulating fundamental aspects related to the design or manufacture of products and the analysis or management of processes. The programme is divided into three specialisations, which diverge as early as the first year:

- Automation Programme

Students deepen their knowledge and skills typical of the mechanical and IT fields, training technicians who can work in the field of automation, with a sound general understanding of the means of production, with particular reference to production environments characterised by machines, devices and systems for rigid or flexible automation, and robots, incorporating actuation, control and management technologies. The in-depth study of skills and knowledge relating to industrial and civil plant and safety enables technicians with this training to manage these aspects within automated systems in the industrial and service sectors.

- Mechanics and Materials Programme

This programme deepens knowledge and skills relating to the design and structural verification of industrial components or systems, the manufacturing processes of parts or products, and metallic and polymeric materials, training technicians capable of working in the sectors of production, machining and processing that lead to the manufacture of finished or semi-finished products.

- Mechanics and Energy Efficiency Programme

This programme deepens students’ knowledge and skills relating to energy systems, the design and manufacturing processes of components, training technicians capable of working in the industrial, thermotechnical or renewable energy sectors. Two curricular work placements will enable students to consolidate the knowledge and skills acquired within their chosen programme. The laboratory activities included in the programme will utilise teaching methods centred on collaborative learning, with working groups comprising students from all three specialisations, enabling future graduates to gain experience of working in diverse teams. This training equips graduates to approach problems with an interdisciplinary perspective, without excessive specialisation, whilst demonstrating strong teamwork skills and an ability to adapt their skills rapidly to changing job requirements. The degree programme spans three years and requires the accumulation of a total of 180 CFU, divided into core, core-related, related or supplementary modules, laboratory work, work placements and optional modules, as well as modules relating to preparation for the final examination and assessment of proficiency in a foreign language.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Name of the professional role: Graduate Industrial Product and Process Technician

Role within a work context and skills

The graduate possesses the appropriate knowledge and skills for the design, testing and management of components, machines and simple plant, within the contexts of rigid or flexible automation, energy systems or the process industry. The prescribed curricula, or individual study plans, allow the role to be better tailored to the specific corporate or freelance functions required by particular sectors of application.

The Graduate Technician in Industrial Product and Process Engineering is particularly well-suited to working in small and medium-sized industrial enterprises in the mechanical engineering sector, machine construction and maintenance, manufacturing, materials, automation and energy conversion.

Graduates in Industrial Product and Process Engineering are able to:
- design simple machines and components, both as stand-alone units and as part of a plant, selecting appropriate materials and manufacturing processes;
- collaborate in the design, development and management of systems of moderate complexity under the responsibility and supervision of a professional with greater expertise and responsibility; - size, build, manage and maintain simple automated systems;
- size simple processes and plants that integrate components for the production, transport, distribution, conversion and use of energy;
- collaborate in the management of production processes for goods and services;
- practise as a self-employed professional within the limits set by law.

This professional:
- participates in project teams, collaborating on the sizing and design of components of medium/low complexity that are essential to the operation of even complex systems;
- collaborates in the supervision and management of systems of medium/low complexity by calibrating components, managing potential faults and anomalies, and identifying improvements to the system;
- holds positions of responsibility in the testing and commissioning of machinery of low complexity;
- in the field of quality assurance, is responsible for carrying out machine test qualifications, collecting and interpreting data;
- holds positions of responsibility in the technical-commercial sector, identifying innovative components and contributing to corporate innovation;
- works independently as a self-employed Graduate Industrial Technician.

There are numerous career opportunities. In particular, preliminary consultation with the relevant companies and the professional body has identified the following as possible roles within organisations:
- graduate engineer as a member of a project team, with primarily executive roles in development and the potential to progress to a role as manager of simple projects;
- graduate engineer with interdisciplinary knowledge in the relevant sectors, enabling them to collaborate on the conception, design, construction and commissioning of industrial systems;
- graduate engineer specialising in quality, responsible for carrying out test qualifications;
- person responsible for the integration, testing and commissioning of equipment of medium/low complexity; - coordinator of a multidisciplinary technical team; - draughtsman in the technical department; - process technologist;
- self-employed professional.

Career prospects

Graduates with a degree in Industrial Product and Process Engineering are qualified to practise as independent Industrial Engineers, as well as to work in industrial organisations of all sizes (particularly small and medium-sized enterprises) in the fields of mechanical engineering, machine construction and maintenance, manufacturing, materials, automation and energy conversion.

The main career opportunities for graduates in Industrial Product and Process Engineering are:
- private practice
- mechanical and electromechanical engineering firms
- steel and metallurgical companies
- rubber and plastics companies
- companies and organisations specialising in energy conversion
- plant engineering firms
- automation and robotics firms
- firms specialising in the production, installation, commissioning, maintenance and management of machinery, production lines and production departments
- firms that manufacture and/or market automatic machinery and/or process automation systems
- manufacturers of mechatronic technologies (subsystems and/or components)
- manufacturing companies which, due to the specific nature of their production processes, develop their own systems in-house, whilst possibly utilising external providers for their implementation.

The programme aims to train graduate engineers with the knowledge and skills to enable them to enter the world of work directly, bearing in mind that, as expressly stated in Ministerial Decree 446 of 12 August 2020, progression to a Master’s degree is not a natural career path for graduates of this course.

Program Objectives and Curriculum Description

Discussions with the Association of Industrial Technicians and Graduate Industrial Technicians of the province of Brescia, the industrial sector and local associations have revealed a shared need for a new professional role: a graduate technician with expertise in the industrial issues of greatest relevance to our region, whose training is strongly focused on practical applications and who, after three years, is ready to enter the labour market, either in companies or as a self-employed professional.
In this context, the Degree Course in Product and Process Industrial Techniques aims to train professionals with strong operational skills and a sound grounding in the fields of industrial engineering, who are capable of working independently on design, development and management tasks relating solely to simple applications and systems; more generally, they will be able to collaborate on these activities under the responsibility and supervision of a professional with greater expertise and accountability.

The learning objectives are strongly geared towards a ‘learning by doing’ and ‘learning by thinking’ approach, in which theoretical concepts are conveyed not only through lectures but also through practical laboratory activities and project-based tasks specifically designed to encourage students to reason and experiment in a way that is underpinned by reflection. The curriculum initially includes a series of activities related to mathematics, physics, computer science and chemistry, with the aim of establishing a methodological foundation and honing analytical skills. The programme allows for possible specialisations, aiming to produce graduates with a common foundation in technical and industrial training, but who differ in terms of specific areas of study, knowledge and skills, providing them with additional tools for better integration into the fields of Automation, Materials Mechanics or Mechanics and Energy Efficiency. The programme comprises a core of basic training activities and a number of specialised modules that are common to all students and typical of the mechanical engineering field, including: mechanics applied to machinery, measurement, technical drawing, and safety and relevant industrial regulations. The thematic specialisations indicated may be pursued through the implementation of specific curricula or the assignment of individual study plans. Each specialisation includes specific core and related modules. For those wishing to specialise in Automation, core modules cover actuation systems, robots and plant, with particular reference to production environments; for the Mechanics and Materials specialisation, modules cover machining technologies and machine construction; for the Mechanics and Energy Efficiency pathway, activities relating to machining technologies, machine construction and plant, with particular reference to production environments, machinery and energy systems.

For each specialisation, through related activities, in-depth study is provided on the following topics: for Electrical Systems Automation and Automatic Controls, technical physics, metallic and polymeric materials; for Mechanics and Energy Efficiency, technical physics.
For each specialisation or curriculum, in addition to the general learning objectives of the degree programme, specific learning objectives are also pursued. By way of example, the following are listed below:
- for the Automation curriculum, to know and understand: the fundamental elements and tools for the representation and subsequent analysis of electrical and magnetic circuits; the methods for the input-output representation of dynamic systems and the tools required to evaluate the behaviour of a given dynamic system; automated production systems and the management and design logic of production cells, including industrial robots; the structure of an electric drive; the main characteristics, performance and operating range of the types of electric drive used in industry, the possibilities for regulation, the procedures for testing the motor/gearbox unit, the basic aspects of pneumatic and hydraulic technologies,
- for the Mechanics and Materials programme, students must know and understand: the main techniques for processing materials, the process parameters that govern them and strategies for process optimisation. the essential principles and methodologies for structural mechanical design, the principles of thermodynamics and the relationship between irreversibility and efficiency, the main microstructural and mechanical properties of metallic materials and how these can be modified following heat treatment, the salient characteristics of the main types of polymeric materials,
- for the Mechanics and Energy Efficiency programme, to know and understand: the essential principles and methodologies for structural mechanical design; the principles of thermodynamics and the relationship between irreversibility and efficiency; the aspects and principles underlying the most common industrial energy conversion processes and the operation of standard fluid-powered machines, …

In line with the stated learning objectives, and upon a justified request from students, individual study plans may be drawn up.
The programme also includes a significant amount of practical work, enabling students to acquire and consolidate specific technical skills. Towards the end of the programme, students’ training is supported by a ‘project work’ placement, during which they hone their design skills by working on significant engineering case studies specifically designed to highlight complex issues requiring a highly integrated approach, whilst also enabling them to acquire ‘soft skills’. The programme is further complemented by adequate foreign language skills and work placements in companies, through which students gain direct exposure to specific business challenges. Throughout the programme, students develop the ability to conduct research and enhance their understanding and knowledge of new technologies and tools through study, bibliographic research, online research and the exchange of experiences with industry professionals.
At least 48 CFU will be devoted to laboratory activities and at least 48 CFU to Practical-Assessment Placements (TPV), aimed at engaging with industrial issues faced by companies, design firms or professional practices, in order to strengthen the ability to apply the skills acquired in courses and laboratories in practice, enhance the degree of autonomy, and gain an understanding of the ethical principles of the profession. The activities proposed within the workshops will enable students to develop specific skills for each curriculum, based on the application of the knowledge learnt in the courses to practical case studies.
The programme is delivered through lectures, laboratory and field exercises, project development, company visits, work placements and ongoing assessments.
The number of assessments complies with the maximum limit of 20 set out in Ministerial Decree 446 of 12 August 2020.
The integration of theoretical lectures, laboratory work and work placements is designed to foster a collaborative attitude, active participation, a proactive approach and the student’s ability to work independently.
Preparation for the final examination represents the moment when the ability to apply knowledge and understanding reaches a synthesis that is both conscious and fully realised.
The credits earned through the various learning activities also serve as a foundation for obtaining professional qualification and registration with the Order of Industrial Technicians and Graduate Industrial Technicians, in accordance with current legislation; each student’s study plan complies with the requirements for qualifying in at least one section of the professional register.
The programme may include a period of study abroad, either through participation in the Erasmus+ programme or by earning some of the credits required for work placements within the programme whilst abroad.
Proceeding to a Master’s degree is not a natural progression for graduates of this course.

Entry requirements and admission procedures

Entry requirements

To be admitted to the degree programme, applicants must hold a upper secondary school diploma or an equivalent qualification obtained abroad, recognised as suitable under current legislation.
For the admission of international students to the degree programme, proof of proficiency in the Italian language at a level sufficient to enable them to participate effectively in teaching activities is mandatory.
Adequate prior knowledge is required. A basic understanding of mathematics and science, as taught at upper secondary level, is required. The following knowledge and skills are also required:
- a good command of spoken and written Italian;
- the ability to reason logically;
- the ability to apply the main concepts of elementary mathematics and the fundamentals of the experimental sciences.
The minimum requirements in terms of knowledge and skills required for admission to the degree programme will be specified in the academic regulations and assessed through the selection tests for admission to the programme. The call for applications for admission to the programme will state the minimum mark corresponding to the minimum entry requirements. Students may be admitted to the programme up to the number of available places even if their mark is below the specified minimum. However, such students will be assigned an additional learning requirement (OFA) consisting of specific remedial activities and further study to consolidate their basic knowledge.

Admission Procedures

The minimum requirements in terms of knowledge and skills needed for admission to the degree programme will be specified in the academic regulations and assessed through the selection tests for admission to the programme. The call for applications for admission to the programme will state the minimum mark required to meet the entry requirements. Students may be admitted to the programme up to the number of available places even if their mark is below the specified minimum. However, such students will be required to undertake an additional learning programme (OFA) consisting of specific remedial activities and further study to consolidate their basic knowledge.
Admission of international students to the degree programme is governed by the ‘Regulations for the admission of international students to university degree programmes’ issued by the Ministry of Education, Universities and Research, Ref. No. 7802 of 24 March 2014, as amended. These regulations also set out the procedures for assessing proficiency in the Italian language where such assessment is required, and the conditions for exemption.

Enrollment

Orientation for Incoming Students and Ongoing Support

Orientation for Incoming Students

The degree programme takes part in induction and ongoing guidance initiatives organised at both the macro-area and University levels, which are detailed on the relevant page of the University portal; this page also provides access to the specific initiatives for each macro-area. These initiatives are coordinated by a working group comprising the Rector’s Representative for Guidance, the Departmental Guidance Representatives and staff from a dedicated organisational unit. The design and delivery of guidance activities, developed by the specific organisational unit, are certified to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard. Regular activities, news and the latest initiatives can be viewed on the dedicated page. In addition to the events organised by the University, the degree programme, through the Department, will organise targeted meetings, particularly at technical and/or vocational secondary schools in neighbouring areas, to promote the programme and guide students in their choice of study.

Orientation

Ongoing Support During the Program

Tutoring initiatives are organised at University level in accordance with the annual tutoring plan, which is drawn up each year by the University Tutoring Committee – chaired by the Rector’s Delegate for Teaching – and approved by the Academic Senate. The Tutoring Service contributes to ongoing academic guidance with the aim of ensuring students progress steadily through their studies and of identifying the critical issues that contribute to drop-out rates. The administrative management of the student tutoring service is certified to the UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standard and is delivered as part of the services supporting the right to education by a dedicated organisational unit.

Tutoring

Final Examination: Structure and Guidelines

Final Examination Overview

The final examination consists of two parts.
The first part is the Practical Assessment Test (PPV), which assesses the professional skills acquired through the practical assessment placements and is designed to ascertain the candidate’s suitability to practise the profession. The test is marked by a panel of at least four members. Half of the committee members are university lecturers, one of whom acts as Chair, appointed by the university; the other half are professionals with proven experience, appointed by the professional body in accordance with the provisions of the law. The PPV consists of an examination on the professional discipline and the resolution of one or more practical problems consistent with those analysed during the Practical Assessment Placement (TPV). The student passes the PPV by achieving a pass mark, which does not count towards the degree mark, and proceeds to the second part of the examination.
The second part of the final examination must involve the presentation and discussion of a written paper on a problem encountered during the placement activities, demonstrating the student’s ability to apply the knowledge acquired during the degree programme.
A member appointed by the Order of Industrial Experts and Graduate Industrial Experts is invited to attend the degree award ceremony.

Final Examination Procedures

The final examination consists of two parts:

1) Practical Assessment Test (PPV)

2) Discussion of a written assignment

The Practical Assessment Test consists of an examination of the professional discipline, including ethical aspects, and the resolution of one or more practical problems consistent with those analysed during the Practical Training Course (TPV). The student passes the PPV by achieving a pass mark, which does not count towards the final degree mark, and proceeds to the second part of the examination.
The second part of the examination consists of the final-year student preparing, presenting and discussing, before a designated Examination Board, a piece of work carried out independently as part of a course, a curricular placement or a training project. The work carried out will be documented in a written report. The report is prepared under the supervision of one or more internal supervisors, who may be assisted by external professionals or representatives from industry.
Admission to the final examination requires the acquisition of all credits specified in the study regulations, with the exception of those obtainable through the examination itself. However, only students who have provided evidence of compliance with the teaching assessment procedures will be admitted to the final examination.
The procedures for submitting the degree application, the arrangements for conducting the examination and the relevant assessment criteria are governed by the documents contained on the University website page accessible via the link below, by the Regulations for the Final Examination for the Bachelor’s Degree, and by the University’s Academic Regulations.

Graduating

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