The “Doctoral Programme in Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering" is established within the Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Trento (DICAM Dept).

The PhD Program aims to equip graduate students with the competences required to carry out complex research tasks as defined by the Dublin descriptors for the third cycle in the following research areas:

1. Civil and Environmental Engineering
2. Mechanics, Materials, Chemistry and Energy
3. Modelling and Simulation
4. Architecture and Planning, Landscape

The doctoral programme at DICAM also aims at conceiving an exploratory approach to research and facilitate the transfer of significant and specialized scientific results to applied contexts. This approach seeks to strengthen the links between basic and applied research, which are essential for society and require the development of highly innovative technologies, methods and solutions. Together, these objectives enhance the knowledge and skills of students and prepare them to address complex problems with innovative solutions.
At the end of the 3-year course, doctoral candidates will be able to:
● demonstrate a systematic understanding of their research area and mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with that field;
● conceptualize, design, implement and conduct research autonomously with academic integrity;
● contribute original research that advances the frontiers of knowledge, culminating in a substantial body of work, parts of which are worthy of national and/or international peer-reviewed publication;
● communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, the results and methods used to an international audience of experts;
● formulate and manage research projects in national and international contexts, while acquiring the tools necessary to carry out research individually and in groups.

The Programme seeks to enrol the most qualified students regardless of sex, age, nationality, religion, race or social status.

The mission of the Programme is training young researchers in Engineering, Architecture and Applied Science, through the acquisition and development of knowledge, capabilities and skills in the research fields embraced by the Course. The activity is organized in advanced courses (mainly during the first year of the programme) and research on the topic chosen for the Doctoral Thesis.

The output of the research activity must be an original and innovative piece of work.

For the purposes of the doctoral programme, the student must also have developed the ability to conduct research autonomously and effectively communicate the results and methods used to an audience of international experts, both orally and in writing. The candidate must develop the skills necessary to formulate research projects and manage them in national and international contexts, while acquiring the tools necessary to conduct the research work individually and in groups. 

The doctoral course also aims at developing an exploratory approach to the themes of research and transfer of important and specialized scientific results to problems and applied contexts, with a view to reinforcing the ties between basic and applied research in environmental studies important for the society and call for the development of highly innovative technologies, methods, and solutions.

Teaching and learning methods
The PhD Programme in Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering  offers a very diverse learning curriculum and numerous resources to support research activities and help participants achieve their learning goals. The primary goal of the program is to tailor the curriculum as much as possible to support each graduate student's doctoral project. This individualized approach ensures that each Ph.D. candidate's preparation is closely aligned with their specific research goals, thereby strengthening their expertise and research profile. If the required competencies are not found within the PhD program courses, students are allowed to identify and enroll in  courses outside ICAM. 
During the PhD programme, each doctoral student is supervised by a tutor and at least one co-supervisor (Supervisory Committee, SC), who help the student identify training needs and define a study plan that will help acquire and consolidate the skills necessary to carry out the research project and fill any training gaps.