Degree Programme in Industrial Wood Construction

Objectives

There will always be need for construction and repair. In the Degree Programme in Industrial Wood Construction, a particular emphasis is placed on wood construction, as we also want to export know-how and products to international markets. In Europe, industrial wood construction is a rising trend.

The employment prospects for building construction engineers are therefore good. New experts are needed in areas such as construction production, various expert tasks, the construction product industry and property management and maintenance. In the construction industry, you have the opportunity to contribute to ensuring the condition of our building stock, the health and safety of housing and the vitality of our environment.

The biggest growth opportunities in wood construction are provided by apartment building construction and public construction. Prefabricated construction products and modular construction in dry factory premises challenge the traditional construction methods. Competitiveness arises from cost efficiency.

Expert, management and development tasks in the construction industry

As a civil engineer, you can be employed in expert, management and development positions in the construction industry. You understand the whole built environment and master the aspects related to its construction and maintenance. You mostly work in teams: in the office, on construction sites in management tasks, or in the industry, for example in house factories in design assignments. You know how to solve problems creatively and you have good interpersonal skills.

You have up-to-date IT skills and are able to operate in a rapidly changing environment. You can also work in an international environment.

Degree programme description

The Degree Programme in Industrial Wood Construction consists of core competence and complementary competence studies in construction technology, as well as common studies and a bachelor’s thesis.

* core competence studies 175 ECTS credits

* construction technology 120 ECTS credits

* common studies 40 ECTS credits

* bachelor’s thesis 15 ECTS credits

* complementary competence studies 20 ECTS credits

o wood construction

o wooden structures

o industrial wood construction

* Elective studies 15 ECTS credits

* Practical training 30 ECTS credits

The content of the programme has been prepared to meet the education and qualification requirements required of a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. 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 the professional studies.

Complementary studies take place in the third and fourth years of study, and their focus is on wood construction and structures as well as industrial wood construction.

Professional courses are mainly implemented as classroom teaching (lectures, exercises, learning assignments) or laboratory and project work teaching, utilizing electronic learning environments. Cooperation is being established with the construction technology programme on Xamk's Kotka campus.

All study units involve the development of IT skills as part of the professional skills of a civil engineer. You will also study 3D design and data modeling skills.

Implementation of studies

You study both on Xamk's Savonlinna campus and in the premises of Kuitu 3 in Savonlinna, which houses not only modern classroom facilities but also construction technology laboratory facilities.

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 the job opportunities they offer already during your studies. The courses also include excursions to companies and factory visits. The courses include visiting lecturers from the world of work, and you can also cooperate with companies or other organisations later when completing your practical training and thesis.

The scheduled week-based curriculum provides you with three-and-a-half years 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 studies 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.

If you wish, 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. Utilizing previously acquired, suitable skills in your studies can also shorten the total duration of your studies. If you are working in the field during your studies, it may be possible to complete some parts of your studies at work.

Teachers help you progress in your studies. 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, being active and having 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).

Possible implementation methods:

• In the 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 you 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 taking 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

As a civil engineer, you can work in expert, management and development positions in the construction industry. You understand the complex built environment and manage the aspects related to its construction and maintenance.

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 the condition survey and design tasks of 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

• Indoor Air Specialist

• 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 in education 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 offices, municipalities and property owners.

In addition to companies, cooperation is also developed in concrete testing, condition surveys and structural research projects through the construction and concrete laboratory. There is also close cooperation with the Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT and other similar organizations, along with vocational institutes in the area.

Learning environments

In addition to theoretical lectures, contact teaching includes calculation exercises, measurement and laboratory exercises, as well as various group work and independent learning tasks, which are supported by IT solutions.