Master Year 1 in Civil Engineering and Construction

The civil engineering and construction sector, which has long been the core business of the École nationale des ponts et chaussées, is particularly well represented at the national level. Internationally, demand for equipment, infrastructure, and buildings is driving strong growth in the sector:

• major infrastructure projects,
• maintenance and upkeep of existing equipment,
• energy production and storage,
• building renovation and rehabilitation.

Entire cities in certain emerging countries, offshore constructions, transportation networks... Today, construction around the world is at an unprecedented level. Urban concentrations require the invention of entirely new solutions for buildings and infrastructure (very tall buildings, metropolitan networks, etc.). But in a context of climate emergency, biodiversity loss, and land artificialization, the environmental impact of construction is such that a profound renewal of techniques is necessary to reduce energy consumption, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and recycle materials. Soil erosion, pollution, and instability are becoming increasingly frequent. Addressing these issues requires significant advances in soil mechanics and related techniques. The frequency of extreme events is increasing, requiring more resilient buildings and infrastructure. New materials (very high-strength concrete and steel, composites) and new computer-based calculation methods are emerging, revolutionizing the design of buildings and structures. Digitization and robotization are opening up new prospects for efficient and sustainable construction.

As a result of these various transitions, the relationship between society and technology has changed. Great attention must now be paid to context, environment, and users, requiring engineers to be able to explain, negotiate, and debate in order to arrive at the most appropriate technical solutions. These fundamental changes call for high-level design and construction engineers who are able to tackle the complexity of construction systems using a multidisciplinary approach.

The first year of the program (M1 “Civil Engineering and Construction”) provides all the necessary foundations for civil engineering and construction: scientific (mechanics, physics, thermodynamics, etc.), technical (drawing, materials, etc.) and cultural. The M1 is open to students who have not previously studied civil engineering.

Objectives 

• Master the scientific, technical, and cultural foundations of civil engineering and construction.
• Master the fundamentals of project planning and design in the fields of structural engineering and geotechnical engineering, adopting a comprehensive approach, a high level of scientific rigor, and strong technical expertise.
• Understand the challenges (environmental, societal, technical, etc.) involved in the construction process.