Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Bachelor of Engineering (UAS), Energy and Environmental Engineering, full-time studies

The graduating engineer has in-depth expertise in energy and environmental engineering. As an engineer, you promote social sustainability, circular economy and low-carbon solutions in various industries both domestically and internationally. Strong techno-economic expertise is the foundation for designing and implementing solutions for renewable energy, energy and material efficiency, and circular economy. As an environmental technology and management expert, you promote the sustainability of organisations, products and services.

The special features of energy and environmental technology are versatility, working life orientation and internationality. During your studies, you can direct your competence towards the energy or environmental engineering competence profile. You cooperate with working life partners and other programme stakeholders in customer-oriented design projects. You can supplement and deepen your skills in a study module organised by five European partner universities (INVEST Alliance).

Degree to be completed

Degree title Bachelor of Engineering (UAS)
Scope of the degree 240 cr / 4 yrs

Competence description

As a graduating engineer, you can design energy and environmental engineering solutions that consider techno-economic profitability and sustainability. During your studies, you will gain a strong foundation for work in renewable energy, environmental engineering, circular economy, and emission management.

As an engineer in energy and environmental engineering, you will develop companies' operating methods to be more sustainable, design renewable energy and resource efficiency solutions, and measure and analyse the state of the environment. You can work as an environmental expert in companies and participate in designing and implementing products, services and production processes.

During your studies, you will gain skills to work in design, research, product development, and official tasks in the energy and environmental sectors and as an independent entrepreneur. International studies also prepare you for an international career. Your employers include, for example, industrial companies, environmental and energy service companies, design and consulting firms, circular economy companies, energy and water utilities, environmental and technical services in the public sector, and environmental administration.

The societal need for expertise in circular economy, resource efficiency and renewable energy will enhance your employment. The demand for energy and environmental technology expertise is growing nationally and internationally. Special expertise is also needed in industries where products with high added value are produced from local renewable raw materials.

Competence building and content of education

The Degree Programme in Energy and Environmental Engineering consists of work-oriented core competence and complementary competence studies. The scope of studies in the core competence of the degree programme is 210 ECTS credits, and the scope of complementary competence studies is 30 ECTS credits. Core competence studies include 30 ECTS credits of practical training and 15 ECTS credits of a thesis.

At the beginning of your studies, you will build a foundation for engineering skills and acquire the mathematical and scientific skills needed in problem-solving. During your studies, you will familiarise yourself with energy and environmental technology's processes and operating environment and gain the skills to participate in various working life assignments. On this foundation, the core competence of the energy and environmental engineering degree is built, which deepens further as the studies progress. You will also strengthen your learning and professional language and communication skills at the beginning of your studies.

You will further deepen the core competence of the degree in the specialisations of energy and environmental engineering. In the third year of studies, you choose orientation study modules (15+15 ECTS) to familiarise yourself with energy solutions and renewable energy in real estate or environmental informatics and management. In the specialisation studies, you will collaborate in a multidisciplinary manner (e.g., with building maintenance technology) and take advantage of the opportunities offered by research and development activities. Joint research and development studies support your thesis skills.

The provision of complementary studies takes place during the fourth year of studies. The complementary offering of the degree programme includes modules in renewable energy processing and storage, as well as environmental and civil engineering. As an international joint implementation, Karelia organises the Sustainable Communities in Energy Transition module, where you can study the energy transition and the sustainable development of local communities in an international student group.

You can include a maximum of 15 ECTS credits of sports academy coaching intended for competitive and elite athletes or student union and tutor activities in your complementary competence studies. If the above-mentioned complementary competence studies do not correspond to your professional goals, you can discuss other options with your teacher tutor or study counsellor.

Work-oriented learning

Energy and environmental engineering education is implemented in cooperation with the region's energy companies, circular economy operators, SMEs, and communities. In the study modules, projects are carried out, for example, assignments in energy solutions, water protection and restoration, environmental informatics and management, step-by-step, in-depth practical training (three 10 ECTS periods), and a thesis on working life cooperation.

Karelia's research, development and innovation activities enable you to participate in regional and international development activities. Research and development activities are linked to studies in course learning assignments, practical training, fourth-year supplementary INVEST Living lab studies, and thesis assignments.

Pedagogical choices

Energy and environmental engineering studies utilise, among other things, collaborative re-search-based and developmental learning that promotes problem-solving, supports the student's independent information acquisition and application skills, and supports the development of working life skills during the studies.

Students will take an active role in their studies, including taking initiative and developing strong cooperation skills and responsibility. Teachers guide students' development in energy and environmental engineering practices and professional tasks. The students will utilise Karelia Universi-ty of Applied Sciences' learning environments, methods, cooperation networks and partnerships in their studies. All education activities support the well-being and cooperation of students and study groups.

Flexible implementation of studies

Education in energy and environmental engineering is based on contact teaching, supported by related working life and project cooperation, and hybrid and blended methods that increase flexibility. There is also flexibility in the complementary studies, which can also include studies in other fields. If you want to speed up your studies, you can take advantage of the joint online study offerings of universities of applied sciences, for example. Previously acquired competence and on-the-job learning are accepted in accordance with Karelia's RPL process and the work accreditation process. An individual study plan (ISP) supports the flexibility and fluency of studies.

Internationalisation

As a student of energy and environmental engineering, you have the opportunity to internationalise through studies, project work, international student exchange, and practical training. You can also strengthen your international skills by tutoring international students. You can complete part of your studies at international partner universities or do internships abroad. The energy and environmental engineering degree program has an extensive network of international partner universities, enabling studies in exchange destinations in Europe and other continents.

Karelia organises the teaching of the INVEST module in cooperation with international partners, and exchange teachers and students participate in the courses. Through the INVEST cooperation, students can also apply for studies offered by other European higher education institutions.

The international cooperation networks in energy and environmental engineering, the North Karelia Biosphere Reserve, which is part of UNESCO's MaB programme, and Eseia (European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance) offer students opportunities for international cooperation, networking, and intensive training.

Competence assessment

With the help of the assessment and the guiding feedback received, you monitor competence development and set new goals. The competence assessment is based on the learning out-comes of the degree, which are included in the study modules and courses. Karelia has common assessment criteria, based on which the implementation and criteria for assessment are defined for each course. Karelia's common evaluation criteria are used in the thesis assessment. Assessment methods also include students' self-assessments, peer reviews, and feedback received through the study group. Working life feedback is utilised in the assessment when the studies are essentially related to a working life assignment or working in a company.

Career opportunities and career guidance

Expertise in energy and environmental engineering offers you career opportunities in the industry, engineering offices, environmental administration, and as an entrepreneur. The studies include professional growth and career guidance, which support you in specifying your competence and finding employment. Regular and deepening internships and a thesis commissioned as a working life assignment support the development of working life skills and career planning.

Changes in working life and personal career development require continuous learning after graduation. A significant part of learning occurs in working life but can be enhanced through training. You can supplement your competence with Open University of Applied Sciences studies or education leading to a master’s degree. Completing a master’s degree opens up opportunities for managerial positions, demanding expert and development tasks or becoming a teacher, for example.