Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Bachelor of Engineering (Bachelor of Science), Civil Engineering, Building Technology, Multi-modal Implementation

The multi-modal implementation of building technology trains engineers in building construction. It prepares students to design, implement and maintain high-quality, healthy buildings, designed with the aim of carbon neutrality. The curriculum focuses on low-carbon construction, digitalisation of construction and demanding wood structures such as timber-framed apartment buildings.

The qualification to be obtained

Title Engineer (Bachelor of Engineering)
Extent 240 credits /4 years

Description of competences

The competence objectives for construction engineering education largely follow the national con-tent recommendations for the construction sector, which have been developed in cooperation with the higher education institutions providing the education. In addition, the curriculum choices are determined by the strategic choices of Karelia UAS and the competence objectives of the individual higher education institutions. The specific objective of the training is the national promotion of digitalisation skills in wood and low-carbon construction and construction. The competences aimed at by the degree are described as common to all UAS degrees and specific to each degree.

Upon completion of the qualification, you will be able to work in design, production and property maintenance. The growth of the timber construction sector is creating new employment opportunities in new construction, in addition to complementary and renovation construction, in the building products industry or in international building export assignments.

Training as a civil engineer qualifies you to act as a responsible supervisor as defined in the Land Use and Building Act and provides the educational content required for the qualifications of designers. A person's eligibility to apply for the various design qualifications is determined by the choice of studies and work experience.

Building competences and the content of training

Your qualification consists of a set of core and complementary competences that are relevant to the world of work. You will study 220 credits of core competences and 20 credits of complementary competences. Your core competence studies include 30 credits of work placement and a 15-credit thesis. You can also include coaching for competitive and elite athletes or student community and tutor activities in your complementary studies, taking into account your professional goals and the qualifications required in the field.

During the first and second semesters, you will acquire basic skills in the professional subjects of civil engineering. In the first year, you will learn about building materials and the most common structural solutions in building construction. In the second year, you will learn the basics of structural design and construction. In the third year, the number of professionally advanced studies increases significantly and the share of general subjects decreases. In the fourth year, your studies will include a the-sis in addition to the complementary studies. You can do a supervised traineeship during the summer semester or at a designated time during your studies.

You can take supplementary studies in building or building services engineering which Karelia UAS or the national offer of other higher education institutions. The forms of study vary from one course to another. Studies in supplementary skills are spread over several semesters in the curriculum. You can also take part of your complementary studies as summer studies.

Work-based learning

The representatives of working life have been involved in the design of the qualification's competences. Civil engineering studies give you a strong foundation in structural design and production planning and management. During your studies, you will work on work-related and topical assignments that will help you to develop good work-life skills. In your studies, you will use information systems and applications that are also used by companies in the region. Theses for engineering studies are commissioned by the working world. You will develop your working life skills through supervised traineeships in companies.

The active project work in building technology offers you interesting learning tasks and theses that can help you reform working practices.

Pedagogical choices

In building technology education, the emphasis is on learning by doing. Part of your studies will involve research and learning in a construction laboratory, as well as deepening your learning on site and in design studios. On the other hand, it emphasises experiential learning, relying on your ability to relate what you learn to your own experience, your ability to critically evaluate your own work, and your ability to conceptualise and create new approaches from what you learn that you can use in problem-solving in your profession.

Flexible implementation of studies

At the start of your studies, you will draw up a personal study plan (HOPS), in which you will set your own learning objectives, the way you will complete your studies and the timetable. You will have the opportunity to have any prior learning you have acquired elsewhere recognised as part of your degree.

Your studies will take the form of blended learning, which is usually distance learning. Distance learning can take the form of online lectures, independent or group work, video tutorials, reference to writ-ten material and independent study, online calculation exercises or other tasks set by the teacher.

At the beginning of the first academic year, a short week is organised at the Wärtsilä campus of Karelia UAS to introduce you to the practices of blended learning and to allow students to get to know each other. For laboratory work, other assignments or visits requiring face-to-face teaching, face-to-face teaching will be organised as required.

Online tutorial meetings between the teacher and students of the current course are arranged on a course-by-course basis to ensure the smooth progress of the studies. Students are expected to have good independent study skills. Study plans are drawn up for each academic year, indicating the ex-act timing of studies. Each online lecture will be recorded, making the lectures available afterwards.

For your studies, you will need a laptop, internet access and headphones with a microphone. During your studies, you may also need to purchase a course book, textbooks for various subjects and licences to use some software.

Internationalisation

Internationalisation is achieved through student exchange programmes. You will have the opportunity to go abroad for studies or internships, preparing you to work on international construction projects, for example. The studies you undertake on an international exchange are usually included in your complementary studies. You can choose to study English as part of your degree in Finland for exchange students.

In addition, Karelia has active RDI cooperation with European partner universities in the field of civil engineering. These collaborative projects offer you opportunities to get involved in multidisciplinary teams. International intensive programmes are an excellent way to start your own internationalisation.

Skills assessment

The aim of the assessment is to demonstrate to yourself and your future employers the skills you have acquired during your studies. The competence requirements are derived from the competence needs of working life. In engineering education, competences are assessed through work-related exercises, laboratory exercises, written and oral exams, reports and learning tasks. Assessment will be based on your self-assessment and peer assessment and feedback from your fellow students. Assessment feedback helps you to monitor your progress and set new learning objectives. Karelia has common assessment criteria, which are used to define the assessment process and criteria for each course.

Career opportunities and guidance

Engineers graduating in civil engineering are employed in design, management, sales or product development positions in engineering firms, construction companies, real estate companies and the building products industry. Typical job titles include structural engineer, site engineer, sales engineer, property manager, rehabilitation engineer, building engineer and renovation engineer. Your studies will include professional growth and career guidance studies to help you develop your skills. Traineeships and, usually, a work placement, will support your work readiness and career planning.

Changes in the world of work and your own career development require continuous learning after graduation. Much of this learning takes place on the job, but can be enhanced through training. You can supplement your skills with open university of applied sciences studies or training towards a higher university of applied sciences degree. A Master's degree opens up opportunities for you to take on managerial positions, demanding expert and development tasks or to become a teacher. You will be supported by a tutor and a study adviser throughout your studies to help you plan your career.