Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering at the University of Campinas is a comprehensive and innovative undergraduate program designed to prepare students for the diverse challenges of the built environment. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills, focusing on the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and urban systems. Emphasizing sustainability, technological advancement, and environmental responsibility, the program aims to cultivate professionals capable of contributing to sustainable development projects and infrastructure modernization.

Students will engage with core disciplines including mathematics, physics, materials science, structural analysis, geotechnics, hydraulics, transportation, and project management. The program fosters critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork through practical laboratories, project-based learning, and fieldwork. Close collaboration with industry partners and research centers provides students with real-world exposure and opportunities to participate in innovative research initiatives.

The Civil Engineering undergraduate degree also emphasizes the importance of ethical practices, safety standards, and societal impacts, preparing graduates to operate responsibly in their professional careers. Upon completing the program, graduates will be equipped with the technical expertise and managerial skills necessary to plan, analyze, and execute complex engineering projects, contributing to the development and sustainability of society's infrastructure. The program is designed to adapt to ongoing technological advancements and industry needs, ensuring that alumni are well-prepared for successful careers in engineering consulting, construction, research, or academia.

Master’s (12 to 30 months) and Doctorate (24 to 60 months)

The program aims to stimulate projects that generate knowledge, technologies and products by combining the different lines of research in an integrated approach and involving other fields of knowledge both inside and outside the university.

Major Area: Architecture and Construction
Lines of Research

• 1. Comfort in buildings and the city
• 2. Built environment: management and technology
• 3. Urban design: methodology and theory

Major Area: Structures
Lines of Research

• 1. Analysis of the behavior of structures
• 2. Analysis of the behavior of materials for structures
• 3. Numerical methods in engineering problems
• 4. Structural systems

Major Area: Geotechnics
Lines of Research

• 1. Design and analysis of geotechnical structures
• 2. Study of the behavior of geotechnical materials

Major Area: Water, Energy and Environmental Resources
Lines of Research

• 1. Hydraulic engineering and special materials
• 2. Hydrology and management of water resources
• 3. Energy planning and electrical systems
• 4. Regional planning, heritage and landscape

Major Area: Sanitation and Environment
Lines of Research

• 1. Territorial management and environmental sustainability
• 2. Environmental sanitation

Major Area: Transportation
Lines of Research

• 1. Transport infrastructure and superstructures: design and development; construction and maintenance methods
• 2. Planning, techniques and operations for transportation and logistics systems

To be eligible for admission as a degree-seeking graduate student (i.e., masters or doctoral programs), students must hold a university degree. Admission to graduate programs is subject to course-specific standards and requirements, which vary from one field to another. In order to find out these requirements, the student must get in touch with the specific department and request admission information (selection procedures, deadlines, etc). In general, applicants are evaluated by means of a written exam, a study plan and personal interviews.

Foreign students have their requests and documents initially reviewed by the Graduate Program Coordinator of the program he/she is interested. If accepted, a letter of conditional acceptance at the university will be issued and emailed to the student with a digital certification. This will enable the student to apply for a student visa, required for class registration upon arrival. You should not try to come on a tourist visa: A change of visa status after entering Brazil is not possible.

The Bachelor of Civil Engineering program at the University of Campinas offers diverse financing options for prospective students to support their academic journey. The university provides a range of scholarships and financial aid programs designed to assist students from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Scholarships are available based on academic performance, socioeconomic needs, and specific talent areas, ensuring that deserving students can access quality education regardless of their financial situation. Additionally, the university collaborates with government agencies to facilitate student financing through national and regional programs, such as the Student Financing Fund (FIES) and others, which offer low-interest loans to help cover tuition fees and living expenses during the course duration.

The university also encourages students to explore external funding sources, including private scholarships offered by non-profit organizations, corporations, and industry partners interested in fostering future civil engineers. The university’s financial aid office provides comprehensive guidance on applying for these opportunities and manages internal funding mechanisms to assist students in need. Payment plans and deferred payment options are also available, allowing students flexibility in managing their financial commitments across academic semesters. Moreover, some programs offer reduced fees or waivers for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement or financial hardship.

Institutional support for financing studies is complemented by various outreach initiatives aimed at increasing accessibility for underrepresented groups, including affirmative action policies and targeted scholarship programs. The university’s commitment to inclusive education ensures that financial barriers do not impede talented students from pursuing a Civil Engineering degree. Overall, the University of Campinas offers a robust framework of financing options, combining institutional scholarships, government funding, external scholarships, and flexible payment schemes to make higher education in Civil Engineering accessible and sustainable for a diverse student body.

The Civil Engineering program at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) is a comprehensive and rigorous undergraduate degree designed to prepare students for a broad range of careers within the civil engineering field. The curriculum emphasizes the development of technical knowledge, analytical skills, and practical experience necessary to address the complex challenges associated with designing, constructing, and maintaining infrastructure projects. Students are introduced to fundamental subjects such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, which form the foundation for more advanced topics including structural analysis, geotechnics, transportation engineering, water resources, environmental engineering, and construction management.

Throughout the program, students engage in a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, laboratory exercises, fieldwork, and project-based learning, ensuring they gain both theoretical understanding and practical skills. The university offers state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities that enable students to participate in innovative research projects, fostering an environment of discovery and technological advancement. Additionally, the program promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging students to work alongside peers from related fields to develop integrated solutions for real-world problems.

The curriculum is periodically updated to incorporate new technologies and methodologies relevant to modern civil engineering practice, such as sustainable construction practices, smart infrastructure, and digital modeling techniques like Building Information Modeling (BIM). The university also emphasizes the importance of sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility in civil engineering projects, preparing students to become professionals who contribute positively to society.

Students are encouraged to participate in internships, cooperative education programs, and international exchanges, which provide valuable industry experience and global perspectives. Upon completion of the program, graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, equipped to pursue careers in consulting firms, construction companies, government agencies, and research institutions. Many alumni continue their education through master's and doctoral programs, contributing to academic and technological advancements in the field.

Unicamp’s Civil Engineering program also offers opportunities for postgraduate specialization, including master's and doctoral degrees, ensuring a path for continued professional development. The university maintains strong links with industry stakeholders, offering students job placement opportunities and fostering research collaborations that address current societal needs, such as sustainable urban development, disaster risk reduction, and resilient infrastructure systems. Overall, the Civil Engineering program at Unicamp aims to develop competent, innovative, and socially responsible engineers prepared to meet the demands of modern infrastructure development, both in Brazil and internationally.