The Ph.D. course in Environmental and Hydraulic Engineering belongs to the Ph.D. School of Civil Engineering and Architecture. The Ph.D. course consists of two curricula: one in Environmental Engineering and one in Hydraulic Engineering.
The aim of the Ph.D. course in Environmental and Hydraulic Engineering is the education of high-level professional profiles and researchers, which are able to deep the representations in fluid mechanics, hydraulics and environmental engineering and to associate the understanding of the natural phenomena to the ability of abstracting (by theoretical, numerical and physical models) original quantitative representations to design engineering works and evaluate their impacts in the context of the Civil, Environmental and Hydraulic Engineering.
In the curriculum of Hydraulic Engineering, the main research themes are: fluid mechanics; dynamic of turbulence; hydraulics of distribution networks; maritime hydraulic; hydraulics structures; maritime structures; hydrology; defense of the coastline; simulation of the free-surface flows in presence of shock; two-phase flows; turbidity currents; minimum flow rate downstream from a reservoir; dynamic of the large water bodies; two-dimensional and three-dimensional turbulence; optical methods for the relief of the fluid velocity and density; instability in fluid mechanics; bioengineering; arteriovenous circulation; atmospheric boundary layer; dispersion of pollutants; laboratory simulation of fluids in a rotating frame; land and sea breezes, slope winds and heat islands; porous media; hydrogeology; modification of the design criteria in hydraulics due to climate change.
In the curriculum of Environmental Engineering, the main research themes are: remediation of contaminated sites; mechanical characterization of solid waste; hydrological and slope instability; planning, forecast and management of the flood events; remote-sensing; planning, forecast and management of the atmospheric pollution; recovery, reuse and recycling of waste materials; naturalistic engineering techniques; wastewater treatment and reuse; drinking water treatment; treatment and disposal of solid wastes; treatment and valorization of residues from treatment processes; water pollution control.
The Ph.D. course has a duration of three years. The first year is mainly devoted to enrich the candidates’ culture with theoretical basis and knowledge of methodologies by attending courses, seminars and conferences. A specific research topic is also selected and a Tutor, from the Academic Board, is assigned to supervise the activities of the Ph.D. student. The transition to the second year is made by a verification of the activities carried out. The second and third years are devoted to the development of the specific research project, under the supervision of the Tutor and the Academic Board. |