University of Genova

Founded in 1471, the University of Genoa is one of the largest universities in Italy. In the late 20th century the university expanded rapidly, adding new regional campuses, and today has about 40,000 students, 1,800 teaching and research staff, and about 1,600 administrative staff. In 1996, some departments were established in Savona. That campus now hosts the Department of Engineering and provides courses in Business. New laboratories have been built, including Simulation, Logistics, and Industrial Engineering.

The Department of Naval Engineering and Marine Technology (DINAV) was established in 1993, incorporating the staff and resources of the Institute of Naval Engineering Policattedra. DINAV brings together the disciplines of Naval Architecture, Shipbuilding and Marine Installations. Scientific research is carried out by Department staff, with support for graduate students, and in collaboration with industry, research institutions and universities, both Italian and worldwide. Experimental research and teaching activities are carried out with the use of the Department's Hydrodynamics, Experimental Structures, and Electronics Laboratories.

Already in the 13th century in Genoa there were Colleges, which gathered together people sharing the same field of knowledge. These Colleges were ruled by Statutes, which established a compulsory entrance examination for each candidate, to be taken in the presence of the members of the College.

This was the first organized form of higher education in Genoa: the setting up of Colleges, which conferred degrees in Law, Theology, Medicine and Arts. There is no exact date for the foundation of the College of Law, but it certainly already existed before 1307, since in that year the Commanders of the local militia sanctioned that every member of the College should be exempted from all taxes and duties. Similarly, we do not have any exact documentation about the foundation of the College of Medicine, but it was probably contemporary to that of the College of Law, and was certainly established before 1353, when a tax exemption was decreed for both Colleges. The College of Medicine also included courses in Philosophy and the Arts, as well as Natural Sciences, whose knowledge was considered to be an integral part of Medicine.

Marine Engineering graduates typically go on to careers in design, production, management and organization, or technical and commercial activities, both in professional services and shipbuilding. The necessary knowledge and skills cover a number of different disciplines, inlcuding:

• Naval Architecture, which covers both hydrostatics (geometry, balance, stability) and hydrodynamics (resistance to motion, propulsion, seakeeping)
• Composition and Design, studying the overall distribution of spaces, ergonomics and aesthetics.
• Shipbuilding, which concerns both the structural proportions of the hull (loads, design and dimensioning of structures, robustness checks) and its construction methods
• Vessel outfitting, which includes the propulsion and steering systems (engines, shafting, propellers, rudders), services and specific installations, and auxiliary equipment