Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Master of Engineering (Sustainability Management), online

As a Master of Engineering in Sustainability Management, you will lead and support deploying sustainable technologies, organisational change processes, and collaboration networks for environmentally and socially responsible businesses.

This online Master's Programme uniquely combines technological and strategic business aspects of sustainability. It builds on the needs of businesses to meet rising sustainability requirements and carry out sustainable strategic planning. It educates professionals responsible for creating and implementing relevant technology solutions, enhancing process and product sustainability, and leading corporate sustainability efforts. The programme is developed and implemented in transnational collaboration with the INVEST European University Alliance, focusing on Sustainable Regional Development.

Degree

Degree: Master of Engineering
Extent and duration: 60 credits ECTS / 2 years

Description of competences

As a graduate in Sustainability management, you can initiate new environmentally and socially responsible business activities and transform existing businesses into more responsible ones. You can conduct sustainability and climate impact assessments and life cycle analyses, make proposals to improve environmental and social performance, and manage and improve energy-efficient services.

As a Master of Engineering in Sustainability Management:
* You will know how to conduct corporate sustainability and climate impact reporting and lead complex development processes.
* You will know how to estimate and reduce carbon footprint, adapt business practices to changing climate, and assess risks and opportunities related to climate change.
* You will understand how to apply appropriate data management tools and methods for Life Cycle Management.
* You will know how energy efficiency services are managed, what technologies are implemented, and how to improve energy and service efficiencies.
* You will know how to apply circular economy principles in corporate settings.
* You will understand how to identify, engage, and maintain successful partnerships to create long-lasting, sustainable value networks.

Competence Development and the Content of Studies

The program offers a thorough understanding of the function of engineering with a sustainability focus on addressing societal concerns. During the first semester of the studies, you identify your professional role in Sustainability Management. You will reflect on your role as a change agent and learn how businesses are required to conduct their sustainability work. You will learn about sustainability reporting, business responsibility, and calculating organisational carbon footprints. In addition, you may already start elective studies that best support your learning objectives.

Managing sustainability in the 2nd semester provides in-depth professional content on assessing and managing the life-cycle impacts of products, processes, and services. You also learn about energy service management and create related professional products like energy audits. The research and development methods and practices will support you in initiating and planning the Final Thesis.

In the following study year (semesters 3 and 4), you collaborate in co-creation projects with Sustainability Management partner organisations. You will carry out the Final Thesis based on a collaborative process with working life and address sustainability questions with an applicable research and development approach. You will reach professional routines supporting the further development of your expertise.

The curriculum's program-specific and common competences specify the graduating students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Work-related Learning

You will network with international students and companies during your studies. Case assignments of courses are based on actual working-life professional tasks and create professional products, such as a carbon footprint report, an assessment of energy efficiency service, or a plan for an industrial collaboration project. The case assignments establish a broader professional profile of a Sustainability Manager, working in inter-organisational collaboration within industries and other stakeholders.

You will create networks and partnerships among SMEs. The core strength of studying for a professional Master's degree is that you can connect all your study projects to your own work and professional development. For instance, you may develop business sustainability actions through course case studies, network and collaborate with other students and attending businesses, or generate more comprehensive research and development through the Final Thesis.

Karelia has carried out long-term research and development work in sustainability-related themes, such as sustainable and renewable energy, low-carbon solutions, and the bioeconomy. The research and development experts and RDI -projects support your studies' collaboration network.

Pedagogical Choices

Sustainability Management applies competence-based learning at Karelia UAS and INVEST European University Alliance. The model for the pedagogy follows the idea of the four-component instructional design (4C/ID) model with four components necessary to realize complex learning: (1) learning tasks, (2) supportive information, (3) procedural information, and (4) part-task practice.

The case study assignments are defined with working-life partners and stakeholders, and they are based on actual professional tasks. Supportive and procedural information is provided through standards, guidance, and examples. As Sustainability Management includes complex and broad topics, part-task practice is followed. Professional products are generated through smaller part-tasks. The assessments are based on defined program-specific and common competences, and assessed items are the professional products developed within each course.

The online and working-life-based implementation allows you to study part-time and connect studies directly to your work and professional development. Teachers will provide expert support through procedural guidance and professional content, guiding you along the study path. Collaboration and co-creation will take place with other students and stakeholder networks. An online student-business-community platform, hybrid events, and team-based study assignments support our collaborative learning culture.

Flexible Course Implementations

Studies are conducted entirely online, which makes studying independent and flexible. The program includes elective studies that can be selected from other universities. These can also be found in the course offerings of INVEST University Alliance Programmes. Studies have some hybrid intensive weeks in Finland with an opportunity to attend online. Earlier studies and expertise are acknowledged following the PRL (procedure for recognizing and validating prior learning).

International Collaboration

https://invest-alliance.eu/ The INVEST European University Alliance brings together a Network of European Universities with international programs and courses suitable for international exchanges or as part of your elective studies. In addition, Karelia has a vast partner network with other international partner universities. International studying opportunities are presented throughout your studies by your study coordinator.

Assessment

The assessment is based on the degree's competence requirements and learning objectives, defined together with the INVEST University Alliance partners and business and industry stakeholder representatives. During the studies, your competence will be assessed in various ways. You learn to give and receive feedback. Moreover, the team outputs, scheduling and time management, problem-solving skills, and project implementation success are assessed in development projects. The evaluation will draw on peer, self-assessment, and business partner feedback. The aim is that you can also evaluate your performance and develop your skills through self-assessment. The assessment is carried out course-by-course by the common assessment criteria used at Karelia and INVEST University Alliance.

Career Opportunities and Guidance

Obtaining a Master's degree at a University of Applied Sciences can open a way, for example, to managerial duties or for demanding expert and development tasks. As a sustainability management professional, you will lead corporate sustainability and promote new practices within and between organizations. Businesses improving their sustainability performance will need your expertise. Depending on your earlier studies and professional background, these studies can prepare you to work, e.g., as:

- Sustainability Manager
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
- Supply-Chain Manager
- Energy Service Manager
- Environmental Manager
- Climate Specialist
- Sustainability Consultant
- Sustainability Lecturer
- Research, Development, and Innovation Specialist
- Development Manager
- Entrepreneur

Transformation of work and personal career development requires continuous learning after graduation. Through the individual study plan, you outline how your competence and expertise will develop during your studies. You set professional development and career goals in your career plan with the study counsellor.