Environmental Engineering

Educational objectives

The aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic notions regarding the fundamental physical phenomena that regulate the built environment, as well as the interaction between man, building structures and the environment; all aimed at energy-aware and eco-friendly design. The program turns its attention to the in-depth analysis of the main physical phenomena and the definition of the mathematical models that represent them, aimed at the acquisition of notions that will find practical application in the in-depth studies provided in the subsequent disciplines of the technological design area. Particular attention will be paid to the link between the physical phenomena studied and their applications in the field of energy saving, global well-being of occupants and quality of the built environment. The teaching is divided into four parts: energy and environmental sustainability with notes on thermodynamics, heat transmission, psychrometry and the elements of acoustics and lighting engineering. Among others, the following aspects will be highlighted: energy saving in built environments; behavior of the building envelope; climate and environmental well-being in outdoor environments; the energy needs of city districts; the use of renewable energy, the analysis of problems due to outdoor noise pollution, the foundations of correct outdoor lighting design. At the end of the course the student must have acquired the fundamental tools to deal with the study of application themes and a physical-technical basis that allows him to communicate adequately with operators in the sector regarding problems connected to environmental design.

Educational objectives

This course aims to provide students with the skills necessary to select, analyze, understand and quantitatively interpret environmental data of different types, introducing the most used techniques for these purposes. The quantitative evaluation of the interactions between the processes affecting the different environmental sectors constitutes the basis for preparing models, interventions, systems and projects aimed at sustainable management and development of the environment and the territory.
The course consists of two modules oriented respectively towards analyzing data with geospatial connotations and time series. Application examples will concern different types of environmental datasets.
For each topic, Python exercises will be planned according to the learning-by-doing approach, to provide students with new and advanced data analysis tools, test the skills acquired and promote independent judgment.

Educational objectives

The course has the general objective to supply the main theoretical fundamentals and the basic practical hints and tips of the positioning techniques: fundamental concepts of geodesy (where I want to get my positions); main sensors, the supplied observations and the main surveying schemes (how I have to collect the information for positioning); discussing the necessary (functional and stochastic) observations modeling and statistical processing to obtain the point coordinates and their precision (how I have to compute the positions from the collected information); finally illustrating the basics of cartography and the Italian official map at 1:25000 scale.

Knowledge and understanding
Students who have passed the exam will be able to know the main methods and techniques for positioning necessary for the analysis and solution of engineering problems of environmental and territorial interest (ref. Framework A4.b.2 SUA sheet - “… Training in the characterizing and related disciplines of engineering for the environment and the territory relatively the acquisition of knowledge and understanding has the objective of providing specific methodological elements for the analysis, modeling, design and management of works and interventions potentially capable of interacting with the environment. In developing the training process, the student will acquire in particular: knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of geodesy, terrestrial and satellite topographical positioning techniques and the acquisition and management of territorial information ").

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students who have passed the exam will be able to contribute to the design of simple positioning operations to solve engineering and environmental problems (ref. Framework A4.b.2 SUA sheet - "... During the course of the educational process, the student will develop the ability to apply all the knowledge acquired in the various disciplines, including Positioning, to define and solve specific problems of the engineering for the environment and the territory, up to an intermediate level of complexity ").

Making judgment
Students will be able to acquire autonomy of judgment thanks to the skills developed during the execution of the numerical and practical exercises, that will be proposed on the different topics of the course, and which in particular will concern: the rigorous design of data acquisition, analysis and interpretation experiments aimed at positioning; the ability to operate in a positioning laboratory; the ability to choose and use appropriate equipment, tools and methods to solve positioning problems; understanding the limitations of methods and techniques.

Learning skills
The acquisition of basic methodological skills on the topics covered, together with state-of-the-art operational skills, favors the development of autonomous learning skills by the student, allowing continuous, autonomous and thorough updating.

Educational objectives

The aim of the course is to supply the base concepts on which the separation techniques among particulate solids are based and to illustrate the machines and the industrial circuits assembled for that purpose. Those techniques are based on the laws of mechanics, hydraulics and electromagnetism and are described within the course in their applications to separate and recover the secondary materials contained in the secondary raw materials (the wastes) and in the remediation of contaminated soils. This last process involves separating the contaminating element from the natural the soil.

A)Knowledge and understanding: the course is aimed to supply the conceptual basis on which the separation among particulate solids are based and to illustrate the techniques used in the separation from each other of the secondary materials, in the case of material recovery from a secondary raw material (the waste) and in the remediation of contaminated soils. Moreover, a few preliminary notions of the circular economy are provided to the students.

B)Applying kwowledge and understanding: the student acquires the knowledge of conceptual, methodological and application elements relating to the more idoneous techniques in real cases of the recovery of particulate solids, both in real cases of recycle of materials contained in end-of-life products and in real cases or removal of contaminants from a contaminated soils. The student learns how to calculate the quantitative parameters of grade and recovery to judge the goodness of both separation processes. The student understand the cycle of life of a raw material coming from a natural resource and of a raw material coming from an end-of-life product, also thanks to numerical exercises designed to the application of what they have learned during the course.

C)Making judgements: thanks to numerical exercises the student will become skill in the choice of the best techniques of physical separation both for the recycle of materials contained in end-of-life products and for the removal of pollutants from contaminated soils. Skill in regulating the processes of solid separation as a function of the grade and of the recovery of the materials to recycle and of the contaminants to remove. Comprehension of the cycle of life of primary and secondary raw materials and knowledge of the basics of economy, selling and transport of mercantile products.

D)Communication skills: the chronology of subjects treated in class, has been designed to allow the student to acquire gradually and consequently such subjects and with a technical language that will permit them to relate to the experts in the field of separation. This will permit the student to transfer his knowledge to other people.

E)Learning skills: the theoretical and practical knowledge of solid separation will allow the student to carried out technical insights on the solid separation methods and to propose new methods working with the laws on which those methods are based on.

Educational objectives

The course aims at providing students with the founding elements of knowledge concerning transport systems and its components (infrastructures, vehicles and services) in combination and integration with the educational approaches to study their operational mechanisms. The ambition is to associate, integrate and apply technical, economical and environmental principles and methods to the solution of transport engineering problems in the field of planning, design and operation.

Educational objectives

Using design examples to highlight the need to tackle the solution of structural problems with methodological rigor based also on specific insights and the comparison between the adoptable solutions.
Stimulate the need for comparison with colleagues and the need for third parties to validate the adopted solutions. To favor a collaborative approach for 1) the development of a solution and 2) for the integration of independent solutions.
Teach the basis of the design and verification for Steel and Reinforced Concrete Structural elements
Stimulate the critical reading of technical regulations

Educational objectives

This course explains the fundamental methods for the analysis of single and three phase circuits, the operating principle and operating characteristics of the main electrical machinery and criteria and design methods of lines for transmission and distribution of electricity. Particular emphasis is given to those aspects and applications of intersection with the normal activities of an environamental engineer.
Risultati di apprendimento attesi (Inglese):After completing this course the student will have a basic preparation that will enable understanding of the phenomena associated with the generation, transmission and use of electricity and will be able to evaluate the performance of the main electrical machinery, in relation to specific needs and know the major problems associated with their use.

Educational objectives

The Course is aimed at detailing the basic notions introduced in the previous terms, focusing on the design and interpretation of the geotechnical characterisation process as applied to real engineering sites, leading to the definition of their geotechnical models. In particular, site investigation techniques are proposed and critically analysed with reference to their use in real deposits characterisation, as such improving the ability of the students in autonomously handling realistic problems. Part of the course is also devoted to laboratory experiments, which are not only discussed in class but also carried out in laboratory by small groups of students. This latter activity also leads to the development of interaction and communication skills, as required in any group work environment. In the second part of the course, some simple geotechnical problems are tackled, as the stability of shallow foundations or the settlements of embankments, aiming at relating the first part to real engineering problems. The final evaluation of the student is carried out by an oral examination during which the student is asked to both reply to detailed technical questions and summarise the group activity he/she has carried out during the term.

Knowledge and understanding skill: through the course, the student acquires all the fundamental ingredients of the geotechnical site characterisation and of the analysis and design of shallow foundations, with special reference to stability and settlements.
Applying knowledge and understanding skill: the notions learned during the course are thoroughly discussed and applied to a number of case histories, making the student ready to tackle the design and interpretation of real geotechnical site characterisations, together with the design of simple foundation schemes.
Making judgement skill: the student is asked to autonomously carry out the tutorials and discuss their results with his/her colleagues or during the final examination: in such circumstances his/her judgment skills are stimulated and verified.
Communication skill: the student improves his/her communication skill as asked to verbally transfer the results of his/her work to the colleagues and to the instructor, both during the tutorials and the final exam.
Learning skill: the student develops the ability of learning both theoretical and applied concepts, aiming at combining them into a unique engineering framework to approach the topics discussed in the course.

Educational objectives

The course, characterized by a strong interdisciplinary approach, aims to provide the fundamental notions necessary for understanding the properties and behavior of some classes of materials of interest for the degree course (natural waters, fuels, binders and concrete) considering their use and interaction with the environment.

Upon completion of the course the students will be able to:
- Identify and characterize the classes of materials treated
- Understand the correlation of material properties with composition and microstructure
- Analyze and compare the characteristics and performances between the different classes of materials
- Predict the behavior of materials in use
- Apply the acquired notions to solve numerical problems on topics of engineering interest
- To autonomously deepen a topic by retrieval of bibliography as well as organization and presentation of the data
Furthermore, it will acquire independent judgment in:
- Selection of the material according to the application requirements
- Evaluation of the Impact and Responsibility of Engineering Practice by studying the mechanisms of interaction between materials and the surrounding environment with attention to materials’ life cycles and release of pollutants from materials in use

Educational objectives

The main goal of this course is to deepen the knowledge of urban and regional systems conceived as a complex superimposition/intersection of relationships, places, actors and processes. The course focuses on some analytical methodologies and techniques that are able to investigate the diverse environmental dimensions and their connections: natural, morphological, social, economical and political dimensions.

1. Knowledge and understanding: the knowledge and the deep comprehension of the territory (intended as the long-term historical outcome of the relationship between man and environment) represent the necessary occasion that would allow students to consciously and reflectively apply methods and analytical tools in the field of urban and regional planning.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will learn how to apply the the acquired knowledge and skills in a competent and reflective way in order to address the complexity of urban and regional analysis. This capability will be performed in an experimental application of specific analytical methodologies in a series of case studies connected with the phenomenon of urban agriculture. These case study represent important occasion to develop research practices and territorial production (qualitative and quantitative).

3. Making judgements: the experimental application (territorial immersive research practices) will allow students to work in groups, putting theory and practice together, to stimulate autonomous judgment skill and to formulate final evaluations on the themes of their applicative work.

4. Communication skills: The learning collaborative practices are also aimed at stimulating communicative skills, both in relation with the territorial subjects (specialists and non specialists) involved in their field work and in the presentation of results of their researches.

5. Learning skills: students will develop transversal (theory and practice) and interdisciplinary learning skills that will help them to consciously use tools of urban and regional analysis

Educational objectives

The course provides students with the basic elements of biology, ecology and ecotoxicology indispensable for the study of pollution phenomena in natural environments, for their protection and remediation. The course analyzes the basic principles of biology, ecology and ecotoxicology. The various environmental compartments and the specific pollution phenomena for each compartment are also examined.
During the course the student will be able to acquire the information necessary to orient himself independently in the study of the environmental sectors and the relationships between them; will be able to recognize and interpret the knowledge acquired and adequately combine theoretical knowledge with the practical application of what has been learned, thus developing independent judgment within the specific field of action.
Particular attention is paid to innovative methods for the analysis of the harmful effects of pollutants and to the response capacity of the environmental sector considered.
At the end of the course the student will have acquired the basic notions and means to deal with the study of the pollution phenomena of the environmental compartments - which are the cause of environmental alterations - and of the chemical-physical and biological processes that are used in remediation technologies environmental. Furthermore, the student will be able to effectively communicate the knowledge acquired.