MSc Programme Structure

The construction sector has been undergoing a major transformation and renewal process in response to the EU Zero Carbon Emission Goal set by 2050. The training objective of the Program is to prepare a high-level professionals able to contribute in designing high energy efficient buildings and zero carbon communities, combining cutting edge energy conservation measures with advanced renewable energy systems and technologies.  To this end, the educational offer has been structured with the aim of providing students with:

• knowledge in the disciplines of building systems engineering, such as further theoretical-scientific foundations in the physical and applied sciences for solving the problems of environmental comfort and habitability of built spaces, seismic engineering, structures in relation to the types of buildings and their intended use, their foundations and the other structures that interact with the soil;
• in-depth knowledge of practices, procedures and methodologies for expert technical support in construction litigation;
• knowledge of the cognitive foundations and application tools of infographic modelling, BIM and HBIM, virtual representation and reverse modelling, as well as of the technologies functional to the acquisition, management and interpretation of data and information flows related to design and construction processes;
• knowledge relating to the analysis of risks related to construction activities, safety in the design phase, on construction sites, in workplaces, procedures and technical-operational measures necessary for the mitigation/elimination of hazardous conditions;
• interdisciplinary knowledge aimed at the design and experimental validation of the theoretical formulations acquired.

120 ECTS credits are required to earn the degree of Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to Master of Science) in Architectural Engineering.

Courses are broadly organised into four main areas:

• Architectural and urban design;
• technological design, building materials, energy efficiency, design management;
• refurbishment and conservation;
• structural design.

The programme spans four semesters:

• the fourth semester concentrates on the preparation of the degree thesis, which will demonstrate the student’s skills in designing and managing a multi-scalar, multi-disciplinary process. The educational path is completed by the compulsory internship, which can be carried out externally in professional firms, public administrations, territorial bodies and companies, in Italy or abroad within Erasmus Traineeships programs, or internally, with the possibility of doing practical work within the Departments of the Politecnico di Milano.
• the first semester presents topics and tools required for the following courses, also taking into account the diversified backgrounds of students;
• the second semester presents specialised courses;
• the third semester revolves around the integrated design of a complex building, supported by courses providing tools for construction technologies and environmental quality: this project is the foundation of the degree thesis;