on the Development of a Dual Graduate Degree program in Civil ...

Università degli Studi di Cassino
Honors Center of Italian University – H2CU
Centro Interuniversitario di Formazione Internazionale
Polytechnic University
of New York
AGREEMENT of COLLABORATION
between
Università degli Studi di Cassino,
Honors Center of Italian University – H2CU
and
POLYTECHNIC University
on the Development of a Dual Graduate Degree program in
Civil Engineering
Following the Memorandum of Understanding signed on January 9 th , 2007
The undersigned establishes guidelines to make available the Dual Graduate Degree program.
1. This document is a formal statement of the arrangements for collaboration between the
POLYTECHNIC University and the Università degli Studi di Cassino.
2. The Dual Graduate Program Title is “Civil Engineering” and it allows students to obtain the
Master of Science Degree (US degree) and Laurea Magistrale (Italian degree).
3. This is an international study program. It can consequently apply to Italian students, US
students and students from other countries. All courses and activities will be in English.
4. The Dual Graduate Program duration is two years.
5. The venue of the program during the first year is Università degli Studi di Cassino, Cassino (FR),
Italy, during the second year it is Polytechnic University, NY, USA.
Dual Degree Graduate program between Università degli Studi di Cassino and Polytechnic University – Page 1 of3

6. Curriculum of the Dual Degree Program is described in the enclosed document (Joint Program)
where courses and contents are listed. Polytechnic will allow the transfer of up to 12
polytechnic credits (4 courses) taken at the University of Cassino with a grade of B or better
towards the fulfillment of the M.Sc. requirements at Polytechnic. The University of Cassino will
transfer the grades for courses taken at Polytechnic with a grade of B or better towards the
fulfillment of the requirements of the Laurea Magistrale. Polytechnic will withhold the transfer
of Italian credits until such a time that Italian students either (1) receive their Laura Magistrale
degree or (2) provide a letter from the Program Coordinator at the University of Cassino that
they have completed 100% of the requirements of the Laurea Magistrale degree at the
University of Cassino. In addition to the semester activities, summer activities are planned in
Italy or in a European country in order to enhance occasion of mutual exchange of faculty
members and students.
7. The Administrative Offices of the Dual Degree Program will be at Università degli Studi di
Cassino and at Polytechnic University. The main one will be at Università degli Studi di Cassino.
8. The Dual Degree program coordinators will be Prof. Magued Iskander for Polytechnic University
and Prof. Maura Imbimbo for Università di Cassino.
9. Pre-requisites will be evaluated by program coordinators and local CE faculty committee.
Students entering the program should have a Laurea degree in Civil Engineering or closely
related field with an overall average of 95/110 (corresponding to 3.0/4.0 GPA) and a TOEFL
score of 550 (213 CBT, 80 IBT). A personal statement describing the student background,
goals, and aspiration is expected as part of the application process.
10. H2CU will reimburse Polytechnic University at the current tuition rate for each student enrolled in
the 18 credit Polytechnic University component of the program.
11. Registration will be processed by Università degli Studi di Cassino. Registration and tuition fee
will be paid by students or by fellowships yearly at the beginning of the first year and at the
beginning of the second year. Funds will be forwarded to Polytechnic University within 30 days
following collection by H2CU.
12. Applications for the Dual Degree Program will be possible from May to September, at Università
degli Studi di Cassino.
13. Each Party, remains liable for all risks of personal injury and property damage caused by
negligent acts or omissions of that Party, but subject to all applicable immunities granted by law
to either Party.
Each Party shall be deemed as an independent contractor and not liable for acts of the other,
nor shall they be liable for the acts of any other participants in the exchange.
Both parties declare and agree that they practise non-discrimination 1 and hence favour equal
opportunities.
1 I.e. race, gender, religion,nationality, height,weight and physical impairrment.
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It is understood that this Agreement shall commence on the date of execution set forth below and
shall continue thereafter for a period of three (3) years and will be reviewed annually. This Agreement
may be subject to occasional revision or modification by mutual written agreement by the parties.
………………….., 2008
POLYTECHNIC University
Università degli Studi di Cassino
………………………………………………………..
………………….…………………………………………….
Centro Interuniversitario di Formazione Internationale
Honors Center of Italian Universities – H2CU
………………….…………………………………………….
Dual Degree Graduate program between Università degli Studi di Cassino and Polytechnic University – Page 3 of3

JOINT PROGRAM in CIVIL ENGINEERING
DUAL
DEGREE
Laurea Magistrale
Università degli Studi di Cassino (ITAL Y)
and
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE
POL YTECHNIC University I Brooklyn NY (USA)
January 30, 2008
Starting on September 2008
in collaboration
with:
Honors Center of Italian University -H2CU
Dual Degree Graduate program between Università di CASSINO and POL YTECHNIC University -Page
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Joint Degree Program in Civil Engineering
The Joint Program in Civil Engineering is a two-year full time graduate program that allows student to
have a Dual Degree: Laurea Magistrale (Italian Second Level Laurea) and Master of Science Degree.
Joint Program Coordinators
University of Cassino
Prof. Maura Imbimbo
Department of Mechanics, Structures and Environment
Via G. Di Biasio 43- 03043 Gassino ITAL y
mimbimbo@unicas.it
Polytechnic University
Prof. Magued Iskander
Civil Engineering Department
33 Jay Street, RH 403A, Brooklyn NY 11201
iskander@poly .edu
Goals
The main goal of the Joint Program is to educate a civil engineering professional class with the
necessary in-depth scientific and technical knowledge in the field of civil engineering within a multicultural
educational environment. The program prepares graduates to practice their profession at an
advanced level and with a unique exposure to an international environment to better understand
global issues of civil engineering. The aim is made possible by the inter-university collaboration which
effectively collects the expertise and the knowledge of professors, researches and professional
experts coming from the two different continents.
Objectives
The curriculum of the Joint Program allows students to specialize in one of the following areas
-Structural engineering
-Geotechnical engineering
-Environmental and water resource engineering
-Highway and traffic engineering.
At the same time, the curriculum allows students to become skilled at the civil engineering project
management, design and analysis of civil engineering infrastructures with a comprehensive know how
on civil engineering materials, technologies and processes.
The Program design assures the fui! integration among Italian, US and foreign students and
professors. The Joint Program is open to student of any Nationality.
Requirements
The Program has a duration of 2 years (4 semesters).
Ali students must complete the requirements shown in Table 1. It means students are required to face
a workload of 120 Italian Credits for earning the Laurea Magistrale and 30 USA Credits for earning the
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Master af Science Degree. Table 1 allaws a student ta fun fin bath requirements. Far details
cancerning the requirements far the Master af Science see Table 2.
I! is considered !ha!: 1 USA credit = 3 ITALIAN (European ECTS) credi!s.
In order to earn the Laurea Magistrale Degree at University of Cassino and the Master of Science
Degree at Polytechnic University, students have to fulfil ali the requirements established in the bilateral
agreements and explicitly made known to the students by the relevant study course regulations.
The Thesis Project could be developed under the supervision of one of the Professors of University of
Cassino and/or Polytechnic University and they will discuss it in front of a Committee.
Advising
The departmental coordinators of each institutions of the Joint Program have the role of tutor and
he/she advices and helps double degree incoming students during their academic activities at both the
Institutions.
Venues
The first year is held at University of Gassino, Italy
(in the Engineering Gampus and/or in the Gaeta's Gastle)
www.unicas.it
The second year is held at Polytechnic University, Brooklyn NY, USA.
www.poly.edu
Language Requirements
Course will be held in English in Italy and in USA. Students have to include in their application a
certified TOEFL score. In case of a low score the TOEFL has to be repeated at the end of the first
year.
Application
Student will apply using Polytechnic University Conventional Web Site. A letter of Recommendation
from the University of Cassino program coordinator is required. The application fee shall be waived
for students applying to this program.
Students entering the program should have a Laurea di Primo Livello degree in Civil Engineering or
closely related field with an overall average of 95/110 (corresponding to 3.0/4.0 GPA) and a TOEFL
score of 550 (213 CBT, 80 IBT). A personal statement describing the students background, goals,
and aspiration is expected as part of the application process.
Course Transfers
Polytechnic will allow the transfer of up to 12 polytechnic credits (4 courses) taken at the University of
Cassino with a grade of B or better towards the fulfillment of the M.Sc. requirements at Polytechnic
The University af Cassina will transfer the grades far caurses taken at Palytechnic university with a
grade af Bar better tawards the fulfillment of the requirements of the Laurea Magistrale
Dual Degree Graduate program between Università di CASSINO and POL YTECHNIC University -Page 3 of6

Polytechnic will withhold the transfer of Italian credits until such a time that Italian students either (1)
receive their Laura degree or (2) provide a letter from the Program Coordinator at The University of
Cassino that they have completed 100% of the requirements of the Laurea Magistrale degree at The
University of Cassino.
Fees
The registration and tuition fees of the two years graduate program is
.Year 1 in Italy (to be defined).
.Year 2 Regular Polytechnic Tuition & Fees
The fees does not include accommodation, meals and travel expenses. Payments will be requested at
the beginning of each semester.
It will be passible ta apply far Campus darmitaries either in US and in Italy.
For Italian Students onlv:
The Honors Center of Italian University -H2CU will provide fellowships to cover the Fees
expenses and to provide the accommodation for the second year in New York.
Information is available at www.h2cu.it
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TABLE 1 -REQUIREMENTS
far the Dual Degree (Typical)
COURSE USA_CreditslI/talian_CreditslI Professor SEMESTER
FIRST YEAR (UNIVERSITY
OF GASSINO)
Computational Mechanics 3 9
FaI!
Water Resource
ilEnnineerinn
and Hydraulic
3 9 Fa!!
Highway Design and Traffic Engineering 3 9 Fa!!
Earthquake Engineering 3 9
Spring
Soil Mechanics and Foundation
EnqineerinCI
Concepts of Management for Hydraulic
3 9 Spring
3 9 Spring
SECOND YEAR (POL YTECHNIC UNIVERSITY)
Instrumentaticn, Mcnitcring, and
Ccnditicn Assessment cf Civil
Infrastructure (CE 6073\
3 9 FaI!
Risk Analysis (CE 8283) 3
9 Fa!!
One cf the concentraticn ccurse cf List 1 3 9 Fa!!
Introduction to Urban Systems (CE 7843) 3 9 Spring
Praject Management
(CE 8253)
far Canstructians
3 9 Spring
One cf the ccncentraticn ccurse cf List 2 3 9 Spring
Tirocinio 1 (in Italy, USA, or jointly)
3 Summer
Thesis (in ltaly) 9
Summer
List 1 (Fall Semester)
Stability of Structures (CE 613) ;
Bridge Engineering (CE 606)
Ground Improvement (CE 8423);
Advanced Foundation Design (CE 8663);
Excavation Support System (CE 8673)
Urban Geotechnolgy (CE 8433)
Water and Wastewater Treatment I (CE 7423);
Water and Wastewater Treatment IJ (CE 7433);
Engineering for Construction I (CE 8313)
List 2 (Spring semester)
Steel Structures
Groundwater Hydrology and Pollution (CE 7233);
Solid Waste Management (CE 7703)
Information Systems in Project Management (CE 8303)
1 Apprenticeship
Dual Degree Graduate program between Università di CASSINO and POL YTECHNIC University -Page 5 of6

TABLE 1 -REQUIREMENTS
for the Master of Science
M.S. CIVIL ENGINEERING -(POL YTECHNIC University)
Required Core Courses (first two courses + at least two of the following courses):
Instrumentation, Monitoring, and Condition Assessment of Civillnfrastructure (CE 6073)
Risk Analysis (CE 8283)
Project Management for Construction (CE 8253)
Introduction to Urban Systems (CE 7843)
Units
3
3
3
3
Care tatal 12
Area of Concentration
1 course at area of concentration at Poly
1 course at area of concentration at Poly
1 course al Gassino
1 course al Gassino
3
3
3 (9 Italian Credit)
3 (9 Italian Credit)
Area of Concentration
total
12
Requirements far the Master:
4 Gore courses
4 courses in the area of concentrations courses (2 at Poly + 2 at Gassino)
12
12
Electives
(2 courses at Gassino 20 Italian Gredits))
6
Curriculum
total
30
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