The course provides students with advanced training in professional and research issues in the field of agricultural engineering applications, to address complex problems of planning and management of technical actions in agricultural firms, and at cooperating with other professionals for the transformation of dry soils into watered ones, for land reclamation and drainage of land devoid of natural drains and for the preparation of rural development projects
The educational programme is based on the most current topics, and uses the professional experience gained in the long research activity conducted by the Faculty and its departments in Sicily; for this reason, practical experiences due to the continuous and up-to-date research activity of the Faculty pour into teachings, which also entail field and laboratory activities.
2nd cycle graduates in Agricultural Engineering strengthen the competences acquired in the 1st cycle in specific fields, such as agronomy, herbaceous and tree farming, protected cultures, zootechnics, economics and applied pedology, indispensable subjects for top professionals in this sector.
The course will also provide students with specific tools for territorial survey and representation through the study of territorial information systems and aided design. The coursework is also structured to achieve specific professional competences as to irrigation and agro-food plants, soil conservation, management and use of non-conventional waters for irrigation purposes.
Based on the technical competences they acquired during the 1st cycle, graduates of this course are capable of:
- Making, managing and evaluating development plans and territorial settlement plans, urban and landscape plans, classification studies of rural territory;
- Providing technical advice to the Judicial power with respect to economic and hydraulic issues of rural territories;
- Choosing plants for the transformation, conservation and packaging of agricultural products;
- Studying and designing animal breeding activities in accordance with sewage disposal regulations, animal wellness and consumer health care;
- Running, administering and managing agro-industrial companies;
- Designing and running works and testing of rural and agro-industrial buildings, also in seismic areas within the limits set for by the Agronomists professional Register;
- Designing, running, testing and managing irrigation plants, including artificial basins not included within the competences of the National Dam office;
- Designing and managing farm and large scale mechanisation, as well as agro-industrial plant engineering;
- Coping with issues related to safety in the use of machinery and in work environments, to product and process quality certification, and to the respect of hygienic rules for consumer health care;
- Studying, designing and managing integrated systems for the production, upgrading and use of renewable energy sources.
Educational activities consist of frontal teachings, laboratory and field practice, specialist seminar and mid-term tests.
The course duration is 2 academic years. To achieve the Degree, students must have acquired 120 credits (ECTS), including those relating to the advanced knowledge of one European Union language, besides Italian, subject to special rules for the protection of linguistic minorities. The Degree Course includes 11 compulsory examinations, an elective examination, a language test, a practical training within external facilities, and the final examination on specific course issues.
9 elective credits may be acquired, in accordance with article 10 paragraph 5, a) of Ministerial Decree 270/04, choosing among the teachings provided by the Faculty of Agriculture, as well as by other Faculties of this University or of other Italian and Foreign Universities.
After graduation, and after the relevant national qualification, graduates in Agricultural Engineering my enrol in section A (Senior agronomist) of the professional register of the Order of Doctors of Agronomy and Forestry.
