Intelligent systems for engineering

The PhD in “Intelligent Systems for Engineering” offers the possibility of in-depth study and participation in cutting-edge research in the field of Intelligent Systems and is divided into three areas that correspond to a subdivision between Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Civil Engineering and Architecture. However, this partitioning does not preclude interdisciplinary research projects, which are strongly encouraged. The objectives of the PhD are oriented towards an advancement of knowledge in the field of industrial and social innovation of the country with the aim of creating professional figures who can contribute to the advancement of innovation and competitiveness of the production system through the creation of cultural profiles in the following fields: 1) Artificial Intelligence; 2) Speech and Image Processing 3) AI for Health, 4) Human-centric AI, 5) Smart mobility, 5) Infrastructure Networks and Transport Infrastructures, 5) Intelligent Systems in Aerospace Structures and Systems, 7) Intelligent Systems for the Architectural Design of Eco-sustainable (green) Structures. The training activity of the course includes paths aimed at transferring knowledge on specific topics of Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Civil Engineering and Architecture, to train highly specialized figures able to address complex research and/or applicative issues.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topics, the doctorate is organized into distinct training paths (curriculum) with general courses during the first year and specialized courses in the second and third. The training is completed by continuous experiences at the University laboratories, where there are skills, personnel and instruments capable of supporting the doctoral students, as well as with research periods at both Italian and foreign universities and research centers. In relation to the teachings provided for by the training path of each curriculum of the course (1. Computer Engineering – 2. Aerospace Engineering – 3. Civil Engineering and Architecture), the Teaching Board plans the activation of the teaching modules in relation to the number of CFU estimated (equal to 65 – 2 hours for 1 CFU) and to be divided into the three years of the doctorate.
The main topics of the mandatory basic teaching modules concern general topics such as: Numerical optimization methods, principles of tensor calculus, introduction to deep learning, numerical methods for the solution of engineering problems. Specific teaching activities for each curriculum are also planned in the second and third year.
For Computer Engineering, the topics of the characterizing teaching modules will concern, for example, intelligent systems for speech and image processing, AI for medical support, and embedded IoT. For Aerospace Engineering, specific teaching module topics will concern, for example: flight simulators, moderation optimization and control of aeronautical systems. For Civil Engineering and Architecture, the characterizing teaching modules will concern for example: Transport infrastructures, infrastructure networks and logistics, integrated design and sustainability protocols and design of eco-sustainable environmental systems. The training activity will be completed by seminars and practical activities in the laboratories of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.
The scientific training and research activity of the students of the doctoral course makes use of the University facilities, and is complemented by practical experiences at the Laboratories of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, with research periods at Italian and foreign university institutions and research centers, with which the members of the College maintain relationships of collaboration. In particular, the Laboratories located in the Educational and Scientific Center in Contrada Santa Panasia in Enna have developed specific technical skills also carried forward with national and international scientific and industrial partner, which have allowed the University to obtain important national and European community funding, allowing the strengthening of these laboratories, some unique in Europe for size and quality of the equipment used.