Courses / Department of the Civil Engineering

PhD Degree in Steel and Composite Construction

General Objectives of the Course

The doctoral course in Steel and Composite Construction aims to provide: a) high-level specialized training in the field of Steel and Composite Construction in a comprehensive perspective that includes the area of Structural Performance (STR); high-level specialized training in the field of Steel and Composite Construction in a comprehensive perspective that includes the area of Functional Performance (FUNC).

Admission Requirements

1 - Applicants must be:
a) Holders of a master's degree in Metallic and Mixed Construction or any other appropriate training, namely, Civil Engineering,
Mechanical Engineering, Naval Engineering, Architecture, or legal equivalent;
b) Holders of a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Engineering, Architecture, or another degree
with appropriate training with at least 5 years of academic training in Higher Education, full time, or equivalent when it comes to the
degree obtained abroad;
c) Holders of a school, scientific or professional curriculum relevant for pursuing this cycle of studies as recognized by the scientific
Committee of FCTUC.
2 - The recognition referred to in subparagraphs b) and c) of paragraph 1 only allows access to the cycle of studies leading to a PhD
Degree and does not grant its holder the recognition or equivalence to a bachelor’s or master’s Degree.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

a) Works in the subsector of construction related to the design, production, execution, supervision and management of construction works with steel, timber, glass or composite structure; b) Participation in scientific research projects in the area; c) Academic career in high education institutions.

Mode of Study

face to face

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

As assessment is a pedagogical activity inseparable from the teaching process, its aim is to establish the students' competencies and knowledge, their critical sense, ability to recognize and resolve problems, as well as their written and oral presentation skills. Students may only register for exams for classes they are currently registered for under the terms of number 6 of article 4 of the University of Coimbra Pedagogical Policy. The following are examples of assessment items: Oral or written exams, written or practical work, individual and group projects that may require an oral defense, as well as class participation. Assessment for each class may include one or more of the above mentioned items. Grading is based on a scale of 0 to 20 and a grade of 10 is required to pass. Whenever the grade comprises more than one item, the final grade is calculated by taking into account the relative weight of each item according a formula published in the course outline under the terms of number 2 of article 7 of the UC Pedagogical Policy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

During the study cycle, the student adquire high-level knowledge in the area of steel and composite construction, namelly in the thematics of structural performance (structural design, fire design, seismic design, rehabilitation, structures to offshore and renwable energies, ...) e functional performance of structures (thermal and acoustic performance, sustainability, ...) . A close collaboration between research centers of excellence, with industry and professional organizations is promoted, leading not only to advanced theoretical training and the development of knowledge in this area, but also to the enhancement of this knowledge by a network in order to transferred it to the industry.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is carried out in accordance with the Academic Regulation of the University of Coimbra.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law no. 74/2006, 24th of March, in its current

Graduation Requirements

Approval of a total of 180 ECTS (Thesis 120 ECTS + Thesis Project 30 ECTS) + the optional course units from the 1st year.

Study Programme

Construção Metálica e Mista

Academic year
2025-2026

Course Type
3rd Cycle Studies

Qualification Awarded: Doutor

Duration: 6 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 180.0

Annual Fee: 2750.0

Applications

Call for Applications

3rd Cycle Course

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2025-07-31 a 2031-07-30
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: 2025-07-10