The master’s degree consists of the major studies, elective studies and a master’s thesis.

• Major studies 60 cr
• Master's thesis 30 cr
• Elective studies 30 cr

The major studies (60 cr) are divided into common and advanced studies. The common studies courses (30 cr) are compulsory for all and they are completed in the beginning of the studies. In the advanced studies (30 cr) students can choose from a variety of courses that are offered under thematic topic groups: construction management, construction and maintenance, building performance, structural engineering, and structures and architecture. Students may freely combine courses from different topic groups as long as course specific prerequisites are followed (the prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions in WebOodi).

For their elective studies (30 cr) students can choose any courses offered at Aalto University, including the advanced courses within the Building Technology programme.

Professors of the programme have prepared suggestions for how to create meaningful combinations of courses for dedicated fields of specialization. These ready-made Study paths will help you to choose courses for your advanced and elective studies.

At the end of their studies, students are required to complete a master's thesis (30 cr).

Civil engineering plays a key role in creating safe and healthy built environments, which are essential elements of everyday life and well-being. Combining the global needs for energy efficiency and sustainability with the characteristics of a good living environment requires theoretical understanding, professional skills, and broad-minded attitude.

The programme deals with the design, construction, use, and maintenance of civil engineering structures, such as buildings and bridges. With its five main themes – structural engineering, construction and maintenance, building performance, construction management, and structures and architecture – the programme provides students with knowledge and skills essential to their future careers in industry, research, education or authority. Based on the individual selections within the study programme, the students can learn to

• identify physical phenomena, and use experimental, mathematical and computational methods to examine and model them,
• assess the structures and indoor environments with respect to their performance regarding the context-specific loads and physical phenomena,
• comprehend the fundamental theories and concepts of structural engineering and building physics, and use them for designing steel, concrete and timber structures and buildings,
• apply the appropriate experimental methods for the analysis of mineral-based materials, and
• describe alternative management methods and use them for planning and controlling construction processes.

The programme strives for the development of working life skills like analytical and critical thinking, multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, and communication for scientific and technical professionals. The aspects of professional ethics and social and environmental responsibility are integrated into the education of the programme.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professor: Antti Peltokorpi

The common studies courses are compulsory for all the students in Master’s Programme in Building Technology. It is highly recommended to complete all the common studies courses during the first year of studies. Please note that the common studies courses are often prerequisites for the advanced studies courses.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Simo Hostikka, Jari Puttonen, Antti Peltokorpi, Jouni Punkki, Gerhard Fink, Risto Kiviluoma, Xiaoshu Lu-Tervola, Heidi Salonen, Günther Filz

Select 30 credits from the courses below. You can freely combine courses from different topic groups as long as the prerequisites are followed. Note that some professional qualifications require that additional advanced studies courses are included in the elective studies. Please see the Study paths for suggestions.

Construction Management

^{*not organized in academic year 2019-2020. Students can complete Special Assignment on this or other related topic}

Construction and Maintenance 

Building Performance

Structural Engineering

Structures and Architecture

Other courses

For elective studies (30 cr) students can freely choose courses offered by Aalto University or by other universities in Finland (JOO studies) or by our partner universities abroad (Exchange studies). Additional advanced studies courses can be included in elective studies. Please see the Study paths for further suggestions.

Students may also complete a minor and include those courses in elective studies. Please see the list of all minors offered at Aalto University under Studies.

Foreign language studies (min 3 cr) are a compulsory part of the Master’s degree if they have not been completed as part of the student’s Bachelor’s degree. For international students, Finnish and Swedish language courses are highly recommended for elective studies. More information: Language requirements

Students can also include 1-5 credits of practical training in their elective studies. Please see more information in the subsection of Practical training.

The course ENG-E3010 Introduction to Master's Studies in Engineering (1 cr) is recommended for students who are coming from outside of Aalto University. The course is organized during the orientation week.

The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the programme. The professors of the programme provide master’s thesis topics that are related to their current research activities. The student can also suggest his/her own topic to the desired supervisor. The recommended time of the thesis project is the second year spring semester.

The master’s thesis supervisor shall be one of the professors of Aalto University or, for special reasons and by decision of the Dean, the thesis supervisor may also be a university lecturer or senior university lecturer of the school. The thesis advisor shall hold at least a master’s degree. Students may apply for a topic for their master’s thesis when a minimum of 60 credits counted towards the master’s degree have been completed.

The master's thesis includes a seminar presentation when the thesis is close to submission. The seminars are organized four times a year. The student is also required to write a maturity essay related to the master’s thesis. The thesis is a public document and it shall be available at the school.

Please see further instructions on Completing your master's thesis under planning your studies.

Civil engineering plays a key role in creating safe and healthy built environments, which are essential elements of everyday life and well-being. Combining the global needs for energy efficiency and sustainability with the characteristics of a good living environment requires theoretical understanding, professional skills, and broad-minded attitude.

The programme deals with the design, construction, use, and maintenance of civil engineering structures, such as buildings and bridges. With its four main themes – structural engineering, building performance, construction management, and mineral-based materials – the programme provides students with knowledge and skills essential to their future careers in industry, research, education or authority. Based on the individual selections, the student can specialize in topics like building energy use, building services technology, repair and maintenance, indoor air quality and fire safety engineering.

The programme strives for the development of working life skills like analytical and critical thinking, multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, and communication for scientific and technical professionals. The aspects of professional ethics and social and environmental responsibility are integrated into the education of the programme.

Topic groups and study paths

Advanced courses in Building Technology are offered under following topic groups: Construction and Maintenance, Building Performance and Structural Engineering. Students may freely combine courses from different tracks and topic groups, as long as course specific prerequisites are followed (prerequisites are presented in the WebOodi course descriptions).

Suggestions for how to select courses in order to form a meaningful study path have been prepared by the professors. For choosing courses according to your career and scientific interests, please consult the study paths under planning your studies. Study paths will help you to prepare your personal study plan.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Simo Hostikka

Courses in the common studies group are compulsory for all the students in Master’s Programme in Building Technology.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Simo Hostikka, Jari Puttonen, Antti Peltokorpi, Jouni Punkki, Gerhard Fink, Risto Kiviluoma, Xiaoshu Lu-Tervola, Heidi Salonen

Select 30 cr courses from the Major studies topic groups below. All combinations are allowed considering possible prerequisites. Note! Some professional competences require that additional Major studies courses are also included in the elective studies.

Construction and Maintenance

Building Performance

Structural Engineering

 1st Year, Spring Term

2nd Year, Fall Term

Choose freely from the courses offered by Aalto University. Consult the study paths for suggestions.

International minor can replace the elective studies in the student’s MSc (Tech) degree. Read more about the content and the structure from Aalto University Minor Guide.

Practical training can also be included to the elective studies. The extent of the practical training is 1-5 credit points. More information in the subsection of practical training.

Please take a look at the instructions on completing your master's thesis.

Civil engineering plays a key role in creating safe and healthy built environments, which are essential elements of everyday life and well-being. Combining the global needs for energy efficiency and sustainability with the characteristics of a good living environment requires theoretical understanding, professional skills, and broad-minded attitude.

The programme deals with the design, construction, use, and maintenance of civil engineering structures, such as buildings and bridges. With its four main themes – structural engineering, building performance, construction management, and mineral-based materials – the programme provides students with knowledge and skills essential to their future careers in industry, research, education or authority. Based on the individual selections, the student can specialize in topics like building energy use, building services technology, repair and maintenance, indoor air quality and fire safety engineering.

The programme strives for the development of working life skills like analytical and critical thinking, multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration, and communication for scientific and technical professionals. The aspects of professional ethics and social and environmental responsibility are integrated into the education of the programme.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professor: Simo Hostikka

Courses

Courses in the common studies group are compulsory for all the students in Master’s Programme in Building Technology.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr

Courses

Select 30 cr courses from the Major studies topic groups below. All combinations are allowed considering possible prerequisites. Note! Some professional competences require that additional Major studies courses are also included in the elective studies.

Construction and Maintenance

Building Performance

Structural Engineering

Choose freely from the courses offered by Aalto University. Consult the study paths for suggestions.

International minor can replace the elective studies in the student’s MSc (Tech) degree. Read more about the content and the structure from Aalto University Minor Guide.

Practical training can also be included to the elective studies. The extent of the practical training is 1-5 credit points. More information: ENG-E1010 Practical Training.