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 Sisu).

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).

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
• identify alternative management methods and apply them for planning and controllingdesign and construction processes.

The programme strives for the development of students’ 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. Among the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), the programme contributes most to a)sustainable cities and communities, b) responsible consumption and production, c)industry, innovation and infrastructure, and d) good health and well-being.

Code: ENG27
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professors: Gerhard Fink

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, Heidi Salonen, Günther Filz, Weiwei Lin, Olli Seppänen, Jarkko Niir­­anen

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 theStudy paths  for suggestions.

Construction Management

Construction and Maintenance 

Building Performance

Structural Engineering

Structures and Architecture

<sup>* CIV-E5010: 2022-2023 No teaching
* CIV-E5040: 2022-2023 No teaching / 2023-2024 No teaching</sup>

Other courses

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.

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 thesis under planning your studies.

For elective studies (30 cr) you can choose courses offered by Aalto University or by other universities in Finland or by our partner universities abroad (Exchange studies) Additional advanced studies courses can be included in elective studies. Please see the programme's 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.

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 about degree's Language requirements below.

Students can also include 1-5 credits of practical training in their elective studies.

Read Other studies for more details.

If you can't find course substitutions in Sisu, do contact your programme's staff (coordinator/planning officer).