Master in Urban Sustainability, Lahti

As a global challenge, urbanization and smart city concepts are major themes of development. There is a growing need for multidisciplinary approaches in the planning and management of urban environment development processes. This program invites applicants to work together with the practical challenges of the theme of urban sustainability. The aim of the study program is to adopt a multidisciplinary knowledge base and development tools supporting sustainability management.

The program is arranged by combining virtual and contact learning. The thesis work is an opportunity to adapt current academic research to practical needs and situations in the sustainable city.

Education can be carried out online but options to arrange contact days on the campus are also utilized. The maximum contact days are one or two days during the same week. Coursework can be individual or group works. Moodle platform is used in all courses.

Study contents

Professional studies concentrate on the co-development of urban environments, environmental challenges, and management of change. The student can choose complementary studies provided by other master’s programs or from other Master level courses in other higher education institutes.

Education can be carried out online but options to arrange contact days on the campus are also utilized. The maximum contact days are one or two days during the same week. Coursework can be individual or group works. Moodle platform is used in all courses.

Planning and implementation of the thesis project are supported by special thesis seminar days which are arranged approximately once a month. The days contain also final seminar presentations by graduating students.

Structure of studies

Education contains core competencies (20 ECT cr), complementary courses (10 ECT cr), and a Master thesis (30 ECT cr). Freely elective complementary studies can be chosen from available Master level courses in LAB or from courses available in other institutions providing Master level courses. Each student is provided with a personal curriculum in which the former master-level courses are considered as well as the work experience.

More about the language of instruction

Lectures are arranged in English together with Finnish students who participate in the Finnish master program "Kestävä kaupunkiympäristö". All material texts and instructions are in English.

Thesis

The thesis is generally carried out as a development project for the private or public sector. The goal of the thesis is to adapt theory and research results to practice, develop professional working methods, introduce new solutions or models, and document the development work according to scientific principles.

The thesis work is an opportunity to profile the studies individually. The work starts at the beginning of the studies.

Internationalization

The Master’s students have opportunities to use the large international partner network of the LAB University of Applied Sciences and apply for international exchange. The students of Urban Sustainability will have opportunities to participate in some courses arranged for the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree program MUrCS (Master in Urban Climate and Sustainability) in which LAB is a partner.

Co-operation with other parties

The study program involves visiting lecturers from working life and other higher education institutes. Co-operation with other Master’s programs in LAB gives opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and networks.

Research focus

LAB is a higher education institution focusing on innovation, business, and industry.

The strengths of this higher education institution specializing in innovation include the circular economy, design, the commercialization of innovations, and service innovations for health and well-being.

Postgraduate study opportunities

Graduates may have the opportunity to carry out post-graduate studies in international universities. This might require connecting studies.