The MSc course is composed of a harmonic set of disciplines, in order to provide students with the improvement and consolidation of his academic formation, and to allow them to develop their master’s dissertation according to their potentials and predilections. The Programme presents two sets of modules (one for each knowledge area), both comprising mandatory and elective modules, which are offered semesterly. In addition, in order to attend students needs and thinking about the multidisciplinary aspects of Civil and Environmental Engineering, students can take modules from different knowledge areas and lines of research, as well as modules from other Postgraduate Programmes and even other universities.

Knowlegde Area: Structures and Materials

The PEC knowledge area in Structures and Materials started in early 2017. It focuses on the study, research and application of the mechanical behaviour of structures and properties of engineering materials, covering a range of materials from conventional ones, such as concrete and steel, to new materials designed to perform a certain structural function, as well as soils and pavements. Research in this field aims at building safe and environmentally sustainable civil constructions with adequate performance and a good cost-benefit ratio for society. For this, PEC counts on its experienced researchers, who use theoretical fundaments, practice experience, computer simulations and laboratory research to teach students and to support them developing their dissertation research.
The knowledge area in Structures and Materials presents two lines of research: Construction Materials and Components & Mechanics of Structures.

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Line of Research: Construction Materials and Components

This line of research is directed to the study, evaluation and characterization of conventional and new materials and components used in Civil Engineering. The following research topics are cited:

• Concrete technology: dosage, rheology, durability, mechanical properties, microstructure, fibre-reinforced concrete and related topics;
• Mortar technology: dosage, properties in the fresh and hardened state, traditional component materials, alternative materials, construction waste and others;
• Development of new composites (improved performance and reduced costs and impacts);
• Use of advanced numerical modelling and computational intelligence techniques;
• Correlation studies between destructive and non-destructive tests on concretes and mortars;
• Analysis of the life cycle of materials and buildings – environmental impacts, waste generation, water consumption, CO2 emissions etc.;
• Pathologies in buildings, reinforced concrete structures and mortars;
• Performance analysis of conventional and high-performance paving materials through dynamic tests and repeated loading;
• Study of alternative materials for use in paving structures such as mining slags, construction and demolition wastes and industrial wastes;
• Application of geosynthetics in geotechnical structures (walls, staked landfills, landfill foundations on soft soils in columns with geotextiles etc.);
• Study of geotechnical solutions in the containment line, landfills on soft soils, soft soil improvement techniques, field and laboratory tests.

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Line of Research: Mechanics of Structures

This line of research is directed to the study of numerical, mathematical models and experiments applied in order to analyse structural systems used in Civil Engineering. The following research topics are cited:

• Non-linear analysis of structures subjected to static or dynamic actions;
• Modelling problems with fluid-structure interaction;
• Analysis of coupled systems;
• Numerical methods for solving problems of continuum mechanics;
• Structural reliability and life cycle study;
• Optimization of structural projects;
• Damage identification based on dynamic structure data;
• Study of the thermomechanical behaviour of concrete;
• Fatigue and mechanical analysis of elastic-linear and elastic-plastic fractures.

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Knowlegde Area: Sanitation and Environment

The PEC knowledge area in Sanitation and Environment started in early 2019. It focuses on the study of physical, chemical, and biological applied to sanitation and the environment, as well as the monitoring and management of natural resources. The main aim is to contribute towards the monitoring, modelling and management of environmental issues in order to improve air, water and soil environmental quality. For this, PEC counts on its experienced researchers, who use theoretical fundaments, practice experience, computer simulations and laboratory research to teach students and to support them developing their dissertation research.
The knowledge area in Sanitation and Environment presents two lines of research: Monitoring and Management of Natural Resources & Environmental Technologies.

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Line of Research: Monitoring and Management of Natural Resources

This line of research is directed to the study of physical, chemical and microbiological pollution of different environmental matrices (air, soil and water), with a focus on studies involving techniques of characterization, modelling, monitoring and environmental management. The following research topics are cited:

• Environmental pollution and control;
• Water resources management;
• Atmospheric emission control;
• Emerging chemical and biological contaminants;
• Resources’ recovery;
• Risk analysis.

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Line of Research: Environmental Technologies

This line of research has the purpose of developing studies and technologies for the protection of the environment and improvement of living conditions of the population, both in urban centres and in rural communities. The research line will focus on studies involving the prevention, mitigation, treatment and control of pollution and environmental impacts. The following research topics are cited:

• Drinking water treatment
• Municipal wastewater treatment
• Agro-industrial wastewater treatment
• Agro-industrial and urban solid waste management
• Wastewater and sludge reuse

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