Course-specific learning objectives
The Degree Course in Mechanical Engineering is aimed at students interested in employment prospects mainly in manufacturing and service companies, but also in public administrations and as self-employed professionals. The specific learning objectives, in line with the qualifying educational objectives of the degree class, meet the training needs of a professional figure who will find employment in companies in the mechanical and electromechanical, plant engineering, automation and robotics and energy production and conversion sectors, as well as in manufacturing companies in general for the production, installation and testing, maintenance and management of machines, lines and production departments.
The aim of the Degree Course in Mechanical Engineering is for students to acquire the necessary skills to be able to apply the appropriate techniques and use the appropriate tools for the design and testing of machine components, plants, production processes, energy transformation and management processes, and mechanical systems in general; they will have to acquire, analyse, process and interpret data from experimental observations and keep their knowledge up-to-date.
In the course of their work, mechanical engineers must also be familiar with the problems involving the economic and organisational aspects of a company, and must be aware of the professional and ethical responsibilities arising from their decisions.
Mechanical engineers must therefore have an interdisciplinary background based on sound basic preparation and complete mastery of the technical and scientific methods and contents of engineering.
The curriculum is structured as follows:
- initially, the basic subjects of Mathematical Analysis, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, Rational Mechanics are taught;
- then the subjects characterising the foundations of Mechanical Engineering are gradually introduced, including: Materials Science, Mechanical Technology, Machine Design, Electrical Industrial Applications, Construction Science, Technical Physics; - subsequently, the focus is on the more applied disciplines and the completion of the knowledge required for the continuation of studies in the second-cycle degree; the course units on Energy Systems, Mechanical Systems, Machine Construction, Applied Mechanics are located here.
- during the degree course, in addition to the Foreign Language Proficiency Test, subjects with related and integrative technical content, such as Fluid Mechanics, Electronics, and Economics and Business Organisation, are gradually introduced; the curriculum is completed by free-choice activities, other activities (during workshops and internships with companies) and the final examination.
The curriculum is further completed by internships within the university, in companies or institutions or abroad, and the final examination.
Classes and tutorial sessions are delivered in lecture halls with the possibility of practical activities in the laboratories of the Department of Engineering and Architecture.
The learning outcomes are checked by means of examinations, followed by the awarding of a mark, or by practical qualifying tests, subject to the maximum number of examinations.
There is also the possibility of teaching in English in order to enhance the international value of the degree course.