Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in Mechanical Engineering

The 2nd cycle degree programme in Mechanical Engineering aims to provide students with a solid cultural and professional background to operate in highly qualified areas of the mechanical engineering field.
2nd cycle graduates in Mechanical Engineering have a high level of cultural and professional understanding of the specific subjects in this class, in particular concerning the innovative design of components, machines, systems, products and processes in functional, construction, energy and economic terms.
The 2nd cycle degree programme in Mechanical Engineering aims specifically to train professional figures able to occupy positions of responsibility in design, management, coordination and development of industrial and/or research activities in public and private boards and companies, as well as the highly professional activities within the freelance field.
The computing and experimental equipment available for use in the university laboratories, which is being further enhanced, allow for the study of fields of application. Work placements may also be carried out in collaboration with public and private bodies and companies operating in the territory.
Among others, the professional figures described below (tables A and B) may be developed.

The Mechanical Engineering study programme produces graduates with a solid and flexible background based on the in-depth technical and scientific knowledge gained during the curriculum, which they can successfully put to use in the world of work or continue to develop by continuing studies to 2nd cycle Master's Degree level or PhD programmes in Mechanical Engineering and similar industrial disciplines.
Having passed the state examination, in compliance with the applicable regulations, graduates in mechanical engineering may exercise the private profession (feasibility studies, design, technical arbitration, technical expert for parties and on behalf of the courts, etc.), also dealing with complex issues which require great skill.

In the table given in the Degree Programme System, the wide range of course units offered to gain CFU credits in the various programme types allow students the possibility to follow different curricula and make guided choices that fully satisfy the requirements of the degree programme system.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
2nd cycle graduates:
- will possess in-depth knowledge of the methodological and operative aspects of mathematics, basic science and technical and mechanical drawing. They will have in-depth knowledge of the advanced aspects of modelling, design, optimisation, control and structural analysis of industrial technologies, systems and logistics, propulsion systems, automation and robotics. They are able to use this knowledge to interpret and describe highly complex mechanical and industrial engineering problems, identifying innovative and non conventional solutions, even when faced with completely new problems.
The above knowledge and understanding are achieved through learning activities organised in the “Mechanical Engineering” course curricula and complementary and supplementary activities. In particular the ability to understand specialist subjects is assured through the execution of projects which involve the use of laboratories and the command of advanced simulation tools. The production of a dissertation on a subject inherent to advanced university or company-based research projects will allow students to acquire the operational awareness of the application of the acquired knowledge.

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
2nd cycle graduates:
- will have an in-depth knowledge of the structure and properties of conventional materials and will be able to apply this knowledge to advanced materials, autonomously assessing the performance during use and forecasting operational behaviour during the useful life of conventional and innovative products;
- will understand technical and mechanical drawing techniques and tools and will be able to use advanced computer systems to create virtual models and prototypes; they will know how to use tools for highly complex structural, dynamic, functional and fluid-dynamic analyses; if necessary, they will know how to develop specific computer tools to match needs emerging in companies or freelance environments;
- will be able to autonomously manage and coordinate experimentations, research and development activities, quality control and testing of conventional and non-conventional products; they will be able to manage design teams, identifying the best solutions for production. They may competently carry out negotiations with customers together with the sales sector, suggesting improvements and adaptations, taking autonomous initiatives and competently interpreting the needs of the purchaser in order to transform them into appropriate design specifications;
- will be able to identify and allocate tasks, supervise the work and operative insertion of new resources;
- will have an in-depth knowledge of the conventional numeric control production systems and will be able to modify and design devices for specific company needs;
- will be able to create simulations in laboratory conditions or develop prototypes of locomotion or energy production systems assessing performance with specifically designed testing benches.
The achievement of the ability to apply this knowledge and understanding will be accomplished through the students' direct involvement in exercises and laboratory work, as well as the development of projects with an increasing level of autonomy. The dissertation project for the 2nd cycle degree programme, in which the level of autonomy and the ability to propose original and innovative solutions constitute the main evaluation criteria, is the key moment for the verification of this learning process. Finally, further applied learning skills are accomplished through the various opportunities made available through visits to businesses, the development of projects in cooperation with PhD researchers, the work placement and international experiences offered by the student mobility and exchange programmes.

JUDGEMENT SKILLS:
2nd cycle graduates:
- will be able to identify, formulate and solve problems linked to the design or production of company products, also where relative to completely new articles by company standards;
- will be able to keep abreast of the developments in methods, techniques and instruments in the field of mechanical engineering, autonomously researching or following training courses aimed at the acquisition of additional skills.
Judgement skills are in particular developed through the execution of projects, experiments and applications with increasing levels of autonomy. Judgement skills are acquired through meetings and discussions with members of the industrial and research worlds promoted through the organisation of seminars, conferences and visits to companies. The dissertation is the key moment in which students, measuring themselves against a typical mechanical engineering context, produce original and innovative ideas, and during its presentation and discussion, illustrate and support the validity of their positions.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
2nd cycle graduates:
- will be able to effectively communicate orally and in writing both in Italian and at least English, to a high level of knowledge;
- will be able to work and participate in working groups also acting as manager or coordinator; they will therefore be able to interact with subjects and professions other than their own.
In some specific course units and during the work on the dissertation, the teaching methods will use applications and tests which stimulate the active participation, a pro-active attitude and the ability to communicate the results of the work executed. The exam verification methods are also fundamental for assessing and stimulating the students' different communication skills. Depending on the specificity of the course unit, the exams may be oral/written, text /graphic, individual/group work.

LEARNING SKILLS:
2nd cycle graduates:
- will be able to develop learning skills to such a high level that they will be able to autonomously keep abreast of the methods, techniques and instruments in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering fields, in the conventional and innovative design, modelling, optimisation, advanced function analysis, structural controls and fluid-dynamic simulation, and development of complex industrial and mechanical systems, as well as continuing studies to a high level of autonomy (e.g. 2nd level Master's degree) and/or in the field of research or other academic activities.
The study programme learning activities aim to provide students with a methodology and ability to manage engineering problems which are not necessarily equal or similar to those dealt with in the programme, rather than provide detailed and complete information on the technical problems of mechanical engineering. This approach specifically aims to promote the development of continuous learning skills and an inclination towards further studies also following the degree programme, both autonomously and through post-graduate study programmes.
The 2nd cycle degree programme course units include teaching methods such as the analysis and solving of different and complex problems, the combination of various disciplines and group discussions; these methods promote the acquisition of autonomous learning skills.