Degree Programme in Construction Engineering

Objectives

The field of construction offers you a well-paid, respected and diverse field of work.

There will always be need for building and repair. Your future employment prospects are good. New experts in the construction industry are needed for areas such as production, various expert tasks, the building products industry and property management.

The most common areas of specialisation for a civil engineer include the design of structures and buildings, production planning and work management tasks in a production plant or on a construction site, and condition survey and design tasks in repair construction. Finnish construction know-how is also appreciated at international level.

As a civil engineer, you can work in expert, management and development positions in the construction industry. You understand the complex built environment and understand the aspects related to its construction and maintenance. Most of the work takes place in teams: in the office, in the industry or on construction sites.

In your studies, you will also acquire IT skills as well as negotiation and cooperation skills that will enable you to communicate at work both in writing and in speech. In the construction industry, you have the opportunity to contribute to the vitality of our building stock and environment.

Degree programme description

The Degree Programme in Construction Engineering consists of core competences and complementary competences as well as common studies.

Core competences 175 ECTS credits
• core competence in construction technology 120 ECTS credits
• common studies 40 ECTS credits
• bachelor’s thesis 15 ECTS credits

Complementary competence 20 ECTS credits
Practical training 30 ECTS credits
Elective studies 15 ECTS credits

The content of the construction engineering programme has been prepared to meet the education and qualification requirements of the industry. With the study options, you have the opportunity to complete theoretical studies of several different categories of qualifications.

Engineering studies also include mathematics as well as communication and language studies. These studies are usually carried out during the first and second years of study together with professional studies. The courses included in the professional study modules are mainly implemented as classroom teaching (lectures, exercises, learning assignments) or laboratory and project work, using electronic learning environments.

The bachelor’s thesis is usually commissioned by a company or other organisation, usually in collaboration between the employer and the educational institution. The thesis can also be completed in a teaching or research laboratory, as commissioned, or as part of a research project.

Implementation of studies

Genuine work-related connections and learning projects are part of your studies and professional development, and are important for your future employment. In the projects, you will get to know the companies and other stakeholders in the area and identify the opportunities they offer already during your studies. Work-related connections are also incorporated in the studies in the form of course excursions, factory visits, visiting lecturers, and later in practical training and the thesis.

The scheduled week-based curriculum for the construction engineering programme provides you with three-and-a-half year of contact teaching under the guidance of professional teachers. At the beginning of your studies, you will acquire the basic mathematical and natural science skills required for technical studies, while deepening your skills in building construction and structural engineering. In addition to theoretical lectures, contact teaching includes calculation exercises, measurement and laboratory work, various group work and independent learning tasks, which are supported by various IT solutions. Group and independent learning tasks encourage you to acquire and process information independently and to work in a team in a goal-oriented way.

You have the opportunity to speed up your graduation by including the completion of your thesis in the autumn semester of the fourth study year. By utilizing previously acquired skills, you can also shorten the total duration of your studies. If you are working while studying, it may be possible to complete some parts of your studies at work.

Teachers strive to promote meaningful learning and help develop personal motivation. The learning process aims for an open interaction between you and the teacher. However, as a student, you are primarily responsible for your own learning. You will succeed when you have the desire to learn and when you also practice the knowledge and skills required for your future profession. The cornerstones of your learning are participation in teaching, activity and the ability to work independently.

The implementation methods of the studies are defined in more detail in the course descriptions (possible attendance requirements, compulsory assignments, schedules, etc.).

Implementation of studies

Genuine work-related connections and learning projects are part of your studies and professional development, and are important for your future employment. In the projects, you will get to know the companies and other stakeholders in the area and identify the opportunities they offer already during your studies. Work-related connections are also incorporated in the studies in the form of course excursions, factory visits, visiting lecturers, and later in practical training and the thesis.

The scheduled week-based curriculum for the construction engineering programme provides you with three-and-a-half year of contact teaching under the guidance of professional teachers. At the beginning of your studies, you will acquire the basic mathematical and natural science skills required for technical studies, while deepening your skills in building construction and structural engineering. In addition to theoretical lectures, contact teaching includes calculation exercises, measurement and laboratory work, various group work and independent learning tasks, which are supported by various IT solutions. Group and independent learning tasks encourage you to acquire and process information independently and to work in a team in a goal-oriented way.

You have the opportunity to speed up your graduation by including the completion of your thesis in the autumn semester of the fourth study year. By utilizing previously acquired skills, you can also shorten the total duration of your studies. If you are working while studying, it may be possible to complete some parts of your studies at work.

Teachers strive to promote meaningful learning and help develop personal motivation. The learning process aims for an open interaction between you and the teacher. However, as a student, you are primarily responsible for your own learning. You will succeed when you have the desire to learn and when you also practice the knowledge and skills required for your future profession. The cornerstones of your learning are participation in teaching, activity and the ability to work independently.

The implementation methods of the studies are defined in more detail in the course descriptions (possible attendance requirements, compulsory assignments, schedules, etc.).

Possible implementation methods:

• In scheduled track, you participate in the contact teaching and study according to the class schedule. Teaching consists of theoretical studies, assignments and laboratory work. The material is often online, and complete the assigned tasks at home. Your goal is to graduate according to the curriculum within four years.

Independent track

If you want to accelerate your studies and enter the world of work faster, you can do this by selecting courses from the selection of a group that has started the programme earlier, or by completing online studies at Xamk or other universities. The independent track is suitable for a self-directed, goal-oriented student who is able to work independently. Your Studies Coordinator (OVA) will help you plan your accelerated studies.

Career opportunities

The most common areas of work for a civil engineer are structure and construction planning, production planning and work management tasks in a production plant or on a construction site, and condition survey and design tasks in repair construction. Finnish construction know-how is also appreciated internationally.

Other typical tasks include the tasks of developer organizations and the sales and marketing tasks of construction firms or the construction products industry.

In addition, there are various expert and authority roles in the field. The studies also provide skills for teaching or entrepreneurship.

Typical job titles may be
• Expert or Consultant
• Purchasing Engineer or Manager
• Accounting Engineer or Manager
• Sales Engineer, Product Manager
• Project Engineer or Manager
• Structural Designer
• Building Inspector
• Design Engineer or Manager
• Production Engineer or Manager
• Site engineer or Manager
• Foreman
• Entrepreneur, CEO

There are several responsibilities and qualification requirements associated with work tasks in the construction industry. The engineering programme is designed to meet the primary study and qualification requirements of designers and those responsible for the field.

RDI and cooperation with world of work

The most important partners of the degree programme are the companies and municipalities involved in the construction business in the area. Work-related cooperation develops through active collaboration between the teachers and students. The main regional cooperation partners are contracting organizations, design agencies, municipalities and property owners.

In addition to companies, cooperation is also developed in the fields of concrete testing, condition surveys and structural research projects as part of the operations of the construction and concrete laboratory. There is also close cooperation with the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT and other similar organizations. Cooperation with upper secondary level education is carried out especially with vocational institutes in South-Eastern Finland.

Learning environments

South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences offers an excellent and versatile framework for your learning. A significant part of the studies take place outside the classroom. Your learning environments include innovation and project environments, diverse simulation environments, online environments (E-campus), and working-related and RDI projects.

The systems and platforms provided by E-campus (e.g. the Learn online learning environment) are utilized as part of the studies, regardless of the course implementation method. This allows you to work flexibly in groups and share files. Systems and digital environments related to the field (e-books and databases, construction planning and project management software) are available for each course. Various online tools, our student intranet and social media channels increase the opportunity for versatile and fast communication and doing things together.

Project learning is started during the first year of study with projects related to the studies. Later, project work can also be learned by establishing a cooperative project office, led by the students, which has its own premises on Kotka Campus. Learning environments are developed in RDI projects. In addition, the research and development projects of the concrete and construction laboratory can be integrated into the instruction.

In addition, it is possible to complete degree studies in blended learning groups, where lectures are organized face-to-face, and distance teaching is provided on the Learn and Acrobat Connect learning environments. If necessary, the details of the class can be revised with the help of lecture recordings.