Agricultural Engineering

What is the objective of the course? What is it?
What does it train you for?

This degree course in Agricultural Engineering provides core competences in the field of agricultural production, agricultural land surveying techniques and the main methods and techniques for the implementation and management of agricultural and agri-food business. The objective is to train graduates with specific bioengineering skills. Students have to acquire 180 university credits to graduate. The educational programme entails 19 mandatory examinations (8 credits each), an English language test, a practical-application training period in associated facilities and a final examination (oral). The degree course is completed with 12 credits freely chosen by the student, also including English courses, and 3 credits for professional activities designed to help graduates find a job. No less than 25% of front-of-class teaching must consist of laboratory activities, practical exercises and field activities. At the end of the course, students obtain the qualification “Dottore in Agroingegneria” and, after passing the professional qualification examination, may register on Section B (Dottore Agronomo Junior) of the professional register.

What do you learn?

Graduates in Agricultural Engineering acquire basic knowledge in propaedeutic subjects such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, economic farm analysis, rural land estimation and representation, the morpho-physiological and agro-ecological characteristics of the main herbaceous, horticultural and arboreal species, pathogenic insects, livestock farm management, rural buildings and plants for the agricultural and agri-food business. The competences acquired enable graduates to tackle and solve the following issues, as junior professionals:

• first-level consultancy and design activities related to rural buildings, irrigation and drainage systems, greenhouses, cattle sheds;
• choice of food supply chain machines and plants;
• project drafts aimed at the provision of contributions for landscaping work on farms in accordance with the regional and national Rural Development Plans.

The main bioengineering fields of study focus on Agroforestry Territory and Agricultural Systems.

What can you do with it?

In terms of job opportunities, the Course Study Council, with placement actions such as curricular and extra-curricular internships, provides to the organization of events dedicated to work -green job day-, the organization of seminars and meetings with the world of work and the stipulation of agreements with public and private entities and the inclusion of graduates in the labor market. The Degree Program Board takes care of the graduates approach to professional opportunities In particular:

• Start up: to conquer the market
• Entrepreneurship: to organize and manage businesses operating in rural areas
• Consulting and planning: to improve the performance of agricultural and agri-food businesses
• Public and private institutions: for the territory protection from instability
• Implementing the programs offered by the European Union (Rural Development Plans Sicily 2014-2020, etc.): to improve the quality of life in rural areas
• Public administrations: at the service of the community
• Private practice: to participate in multidisciplinary work teams
• Registration in Section B of the Professional Register of Agronomist and Forestry Doctors (Junior Graduate) after passing the professional qualification examination
• Continuation of studies is guaranteed in the Master's Degree Course in Agroenginering and Forestry Sciences and Technologies