Mechanical Engineering

The master’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering is structured to train professional figures who can combine the skills of the mechanical engineer in a multidisciplinary applied context.

The training course is therefore structured on three levels: training in the fields characterizing mechanical engineering; acquisition of content in some disciplines considered important for the completion of the professional figure, through examinations inherent to the fields of energy, materials, new production technologies and the environment; and development of an important design activity.

The course of study is delivered in English, has a duration of two years and consists of three levels:

1. an education in the fields that characterize mechanical engineering oriented toward in-depth methodological and conceptual study of engineering subjects whose foundations were formed during the bachelor’s degree program;
2. the acquisition of content of some disciplines is considered important for the completion of the professional figure for employment outlets, through the choice of examinations related to the fields of energy, mechanics and biosystems. In particular, two alternative paths of high specialization are provided:
   • Manufacturing & Design: aimed at the design, manufacture and monitoring of both individual mechanical components and industrial machinery and plants using advanced design and analysis methods such as FEM, CFD and CAD.
   • Energy: aimed at providing the necessary tools to understand and analyze classical and innovative energy conversion systems, such as nuclear fusion and hydrogen-based systems, with a focus on issues related to the design of energy storage and transport systems and methods.
3. the development of a major design activity that will culminate in the writing of a technical paper and discussion in the graduate session demonstrating the acquisition of the skills covered in the course, the ability to work independently, and communication skills.

The course comprises 120 credits and is divided into 2 years divided into semester-long lecture cycles (typically October-February; March-September) and proficiency examination sessions (3 sessions per year plus two make-up sessions for out-of-school, repeat or assimilated students).

Specifically, the compulsory courses include 51 CFU and are aimed at completing and deepening classical mechanical engineering skills related to mechanical design, machine building, thermofluid dynamics, dynamic and alternative fluid machines, energy systems, mechanical technologies, mechanical and thermal measurements, and industrial project and plant management. The graduate should be familiar with the theoretical and scientific aspects of the basic sciences and engineering in general and in depth in the areas of mechanics and energy, and should be able to identify, interpret, describe, formulate, and solve complex or innovative problems; devise, plan, design, and manage systems; and design and manage experiments of high complexity. Special emphasis will be placed on advanced analysis and design methodologies, with emphasis on experimentation, numerical methodologies, and manufacturing and prototyping technologies.

The elective courses, for which 45CFU are reserved, provide students with the fundamentals, tools and methodologies needed to tackle complex and innovative problems related to energy and mechanical design.

In Energy, courses totaling 39 CFUs are offered, which include in-depth topics related to energy materials, energy transportation in its various forms, and energy management and industrial services. There are also specific insights related to energy conservation and alternative energy systems, both from a production and conversion perspective. It also has the opportunity to delve into some topics related to innovative energies including, nuclear fusion technologies, and hydrogen production, storage and energy conversion.

Relative to the Manufacturing & Design track, 42 CFUs are offered within which topics concerning internal combustion engines, modeling and simulation to support design and manufacturing processes, development of technologies for interaction with the virtual prototype, and nondestructive measurement methods are explored. Topics about polymeric and metallic materials for use in additive manufacturing are also covered, to expand knowledge related to the design and optimization of the product made by additive manufacturing. There are courses inherent to environmental and biosystems monitoring (15CFU), which are strategic in any social, scientific and industrial context, to train a mechanical engineer with skills in the design of water systems and machines and plants for biosystems, whose figures are highly sought after by Italian and foreign industry.

9 CFUs are reserved for additional educational activities that can be achieved by students through seminars held by personalities from industry and science, internships and apprenticeships at industrial plants, public agencies, research centers, companies in the tertiary and commercial sectors, and laboratory activities, such as materials characterization laboratories and biomechanics laboratory. These activities will give the student special computer, telematics and professional skills to make him or her more competitive in the job market.

15 CFUs will be reserved for the final thesis examination, through which the student must demonstrate the acquisition of advanced competence in the discipline being studied. The total load for obtaining the degree turns out to be about 3000 hours; in fact, the course provides 120 University Educational Credits for each of which, a commitment on the part of the student of about 25 hours is required, of which eight are devoted to lectures and the remainder to self-study. The share of the total hourly commitment available to the student for self-study or other individual learning activities is estimated to be about at least 70 percent.

The professionalism acquired is expendable in positions such as design, production, installation and testing, machine maintenance and management, industrial and IT services, energy management, marketing, technical management, and marketing and logistics. The mechanical engineering graduate will be able to find employment in a variety of fields: factories of mechanical and electromechanical industries, power generation plants, plant engineering and manufacturing companies, public and private service companies, engineering companies, public and private entities operating in the energy supply sector, and freelance design and/or consulting activities. The acquired knowledge also enables him/her to engage in freelance work and to assume responsible roles including in the management, coordination and development of industrial and research activities in industrial plants, service companies, public and private entities.

The course is organized and structured in order to provide the student a learning ability that allows higher level studies, including the PhD course in “Engineering for Energy and Environment” held at the University of Tuscia (Official website of the PhD programme).

To be admitted to the master’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tuscia, it is necessary to hold a bachelor’s degree or a three-year university diploma, or another qualification obtained abroad that is recognized as suitable.
Matriculation is in any case subject to verification of possession of the curricular requirements, adequate personal preparation and language proficiency of at least level B2 English.

For students holding a degree obtained abroad, or in Italy under previous educational regulations, the Course Council proceeds to verify the possession of the curricular requirements through an evaluation of the previous career.

For more details regarding curricular requirements and how to test personal preparedness, the course regulations can be found at the following link.

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