Presentation
Environmental Engineering is currently a growing area of activity that needs competent professionals capable of identifying/studying complex environmental situations, using a holistic and integrative approach, supported by basic sciences (chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, among others) combined with a technological intervention in engineering areas, to contribute to a more sustainable society.
The degree (1st Cycle) in Environmental Engineering at Lusofona University began in 1993 and currently, with almost 30 years of history, has a curricular plan aimed at current problems and challenges, focusing on a strong laboratory and basic science component and In addition to producing graduates with a very high degree of employability (about 90%, according to 2019 data), the course is intended to be stimulating, interesting and motivating for students, leading them to acquire scientific and essential techniques for professional practice and/or the pursuit of master's or doctoral studies, not neglecting transversal skills in terms of integral human training, ethics and professional deontology.
The completion of the 1st Cycle in Environmental Engineering, structured in accordance with the Bologna Declaration, has a normal duration of 3 years (6 semesters, 180 ECTS) grants a degree in Environmental Engineering and allows the pursuit of a master's degree (2nd Cycle) in Environmental Engineering, training also available at Engineering Faculty.
Decree-law
Ministerial Order 16114/2009, of 14 July, amended by Ministerial Order 8685/2016, of 5 July
A3ES Decision
Accredited - A3ES Decision
Decision date
05/01/2016
Registration
R/A-Ef 3009/2011/AL01
Auto-Avaliação
Confered Degree | Duration | ECTS
Bachelor | 6 Semesters | 180 ECTS
Programme Director
Coordination
Anabela Cruces; Adelino Silva Soares
Programme sub-director
Secretariat
Entrance Conditions
This study cycle accepts candidates who submit their application via the institutional entrance competition and have obtained a positive score in one of the following national entrance exams:
02- Biology and Geology and 16- Mathematics
or
07- Physics and Chemistry and 16- Mathematics
Candidates may also apply via the regimes of institution/programme transfer or via Special Application, in accordance with the legal regulations in force (holders of higher education degree, holders of a Technological Specialization Course, holders of Professional Higher Technician Course or Over 23 years of Age).
Candidates who meet the requirements defined in the International Student Statute can also apply.
Programme requirements
Have completed a total of 180 ECTS
Objectives
The growth and development of urban communities, the creation and expansion of road and railway structures, the intensification of agricultural and industrial production boosted by advances in technology, in addition to spatial development plans on a national, regional and local level involve the availability of staff that are capable of anticipating and resolving complex environmental issues, that have an adequate, interdisciplinary and updated knowledge that enables them to manage the various resources and exercise their profession in a society that is undergoing rapid technological changes. This training complies with the basic objectives of the course in Environmental Engineering, taught at ULHT. In addition to theoretical preparation, laboratory training is provided with an equivalent rigor and for this reason, UHLT has duly equipped laboratories in the fields of fundamental training and complementary applied training. The agreements and protocols established with other public and private institutions, and other institutions of higher education, municipalities and businesses are also key tools for the development of research, development and innovation.
Who should apply
In view of a society that is increasingly demanding in terms of the environment and sustainability and in view of emerging issues in this area of engineering, in 2016 the course needed to be updated to adapt to the new reality.
Without losing its identity and excellence, it integrated themes to reinforce students' training in the field of pollution characterization and remediation, favored a greater practical component, integrating the Environmental Engineering Project as the final curricular unit of the academic path, allowing students to implement of the skills acquired during their training. It reinforced and updated the curricular programs of the specific curricular units in the area of the environment, preparing students for the global problems of society.
This 1st cycle of studies is intended for all those who wish to obtain a basic training in Environmental Engineering, essential for basic professional practice in this area of knowledge, as well as for the continuation of training for a 2nd cycle course in this area of engineering.
The demand for this course by students of different nationalities (with emphasis on those from CPLP countries) allows for a multicultural approach to themes from different realities in the ULHT Environmental Engineering course, constituting a privileged place for the exchange of ideas and knowledge between national and international students.
In the 1st Cycle of Environmental Engineering, a close relationship between teacher and student and a strong practical component is favored, which is considered capable of promoting learning in a more active context.
Knowledge, abilities and skills to be acquired
The degree in Environmental Engineering allows:
- Broad scope training in the fundamental scientific areas to support professional activity in Environmental Engineering;
- Development of the ability to assess and characterize natural systems;
- Development of fundamental knowledge for the identification of problems susceptible to negative effects on the environment, and, if possible, for their anticipation/forecast;
- Development of skills that allow the development of studies that predict the environmental impact of projects and have tools for the preparation of preliminary mitigation projects;
- Development of the capacity for practical application of knowledge in solving environmental problems;
- Development of the ability to carry out research and development studies and projects;
- Development of knowledge and ability to use programming languages and computational tools to solve problems and support modeling, simulation and decision making.
Equipments and venues
Lusofona University has the appropriate structures for the development of studies, with a specialized library whose hours fully and without interruptions cover the opening hours of the course and free access to the database.
Classes and other teaching activities of the study cycle all take place at the university's facilities, which has laboratories equipped for the different areas of the course. The learning activities are complemented by study visits to companies and research institutions, as well as field trips to places that are pedagogical examples of environmental interventions. Lusofona University own laboratories have the necessary equipment, structures and human and material resources for the proper completion of the study cycle. The Physics, Informatics, Biology, Microbiology, Chemistry and Environment Laboratories are mentioned, which have basic and advanced equipment that allow the development of practical classes in all areas and subjects of the course.
Further Studies
The Degree in Environmental Engineering at Lusofona University enables the attendance of a Master (2nd Cycle) in the area of Engineering and Natural Sciences, which is not necessarily in the main area of training of the Degree.
Career
Performance of functions in private entities of different specialties where environmental assessment is a fundamental area of intervention, as well as in state/public institutions (eg Ministries, APA, CCDR, etc.) and regional, intermunicipal and municipal entities, performing functions in areas how:
- Impact Studies and Environmental Audits;
- Projects and Management of WWTP, WTP and Waste Treatment Units;
- Environmental assessment;
- Auditing and consulting in Environmental Engineering;
- Management of water resources;
- Climate change and air quality;
- Acoustics and vibrations;
- Planning and land use planning;
- Monitoring and Environmental Management;
- Investigation and development;
- Education and public administration.
Research
Most professors are integrated in the research group where they develop R&D projects. Even with the current difficulty, the group¿s research activity grew, as with their help/guidance, professors have been submitting project applications and providing services.
Some professors also add to their R&D activities work developed in external research centers, classified as EXCELLENT/VERY GOOD, namely IDL, MARE, C2TN, IDMEC, LarSys, CQE, LEAF.
The increase in the number of proposed submissions of submitted projects (eg FCT, Environmental Fund, EEA GRANTS) is notorious.
The degree of internationalization of the professors results from the work developed in projects financed by the EU, related to energy, environment and climate change in Portugal and in countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia. There are professors with relevant work experience as experts in energy and environment, environmental education and climate change for UNDP, UNCSTD, WMO, ADB and World Bank. Having participated, in the last five years, in several projects of the EU's AMCC program.
Comments
During the academic course, activities, visits, lectures, workshops, seminars, technical outings are encouraged, helping to bring students closer to solving real problems, aiming at an active policy of professional integration.
Partnership and collaboration protocols with different entities (public/private) are reinforced, allowing students to access a network of contacts to carry out different curricular units that benefit from the approximation to real case studies (eg: UC of Project in Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Environment Analytical Control, Water Pollution, etc.).
Scientific Areas
Tecnologia de protecção do ambiente | Ciências do ambiente | Engenharia e técnicas afins