Programme Overview

Transportation Systems are a central component of a country’s economy, as they enable the mobility of people and goods, enabling travel and transactions that sustain all economic and social activity. A master student in Transportation Systems will study and design transport networks, introducing intelligent systems, creating and managing services and acting in the management, construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Aiming at the efficient performance of these systems and technological innovation, professionals in this area are concerned with the entire life cycle of a transportation system, from environmental impacts to aspects such as pricing, support, search for potential users and policy definition.

Study Plan

The 2nd cycle in Transportation Systems has a duration of 4 semesters (2 years), which is equivalent to 120 ECTS credits, and is made up of the structure depicted below:

  • 1st year (ECTS)

    • 48
    • 12
  • 2nd year (ECTS)

    • 18
    • 12
    • 30

Programme Structure

  1. Core Structure (69 ECTS credit points ECTS)

    The MSc Programme in Transportation Systems (Major), in its core structure, deepens knowledge in topics such as Railway Engineering, Road Traffic, Risk and Decision in Transport, Goods and Logistics, Economy and Financing of Transport Systems, Operations Planning, among others.

    Besides the core structure, it is possible to choose a short specialisation (12 ECTS) between:

    • Transportation Systems Engineering
    • Transportation Systems Policies and Planning
  2. Free options (21 ECTS)

    Part of the curriculum is of fully free choice, i.e., students may choose subjects not only in Bioengineering, but also in any other scientific field offered by Técnico.

    This component offers you the possibility to take a Minor – a number of multidisciplinary modules- which corresponds to 18 ECTS credits. The offer cuts across all programmes taught at Técnico.

    Minors

    Extra-curricular activities may also be credited, to a maximum of 6 ECTS credit points.

  3. Dissertation (30 ECTS)

    The dissertation is the final assignment of the study cycle, which allows the student to focus and specialise on a specific subject that may take any of these formats:

    • Scientific thesis
    • Internship at a company
    • Capstone project

Target Audience

The MSc Programme in Transportation Systems is intended for graduates in areas related to Engineering, Mathematics or Physics, as well as in Social Sciences such as Economy, Management, Geography, Sociology or Public Policies. This MSc is also open for professionals in this field and students with 2nd cycle in other fields that want to have a specialisation in Transportation.

The programme is taught in Portuguese however may there be international or mobility students enrolled, the curricular units will be taught in English.

Career Opportunities

Técnico MSc graduates in Transportation Systems, may work in various modes of transport (road, rail, air and sea) and in various geographic scales (national, regional and local), being able to develop activities such as:

  • Design and construction of transport infrastructure;
  • Optimization and operation of transport networks;
  • Development and operation of intelligent transport systems;
  • Public or private administration of transport systems;
  • Investment analysis;
  • Scientific research and development;
  • Quality control;
  • Marketing of products, equipment and processes;
  • Consulting, leadership, leadership and management roles.

Entry requirements

To apply for a 2nd Cycle at Técnico you should:

  • hold a 1st cycle degree in Science and Technology (except in the case of the 2nd cycle in Architecture, which requires a 1st cycle degree in Architecture);
  • hold an academic, scientific or professional curriculum that certifies their ability to do the MSc programme which they apply for.

Candidates are selected according to these criteria:

  • affinity between the degree they hold and the programme they apply for;
  • type of degree they hold;
  • academic success in the programme they attended.

Note: if requested, we may appreciate the academic, scientific or professional curriculum and the candidate’s performance during the interview.

Students' Organisations

Técnico students stimulate autonomously and proactively projects that act as a complement to their academic background. For example, the Students’ Organisations provide them with skills and added value making them more competitive in the labour market.