Student Guide

Programmes

Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability

Programme main page

Previous curricula

Here you can find the curricula of previous academic years.

Curriculum 2018–2020

The master's programme in Creative Sustainability can lead to four different degrees. Master of Arts, Master of Science Degree in Architecture, Master of Science Degree in Technology and Master of Science Degree in Economics and Business Administration. All the different degrees have a specialized study path but also a common compulsory courses.

Common Learning Outcomes

Multidisciplinary approach: Students learn to adapt knowledge, skills and new approaches to reach collaborative solutions based on ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability.

Systems approach: Students learn to use systemic thinking to problem-solve and create new holistic understandings of complex situations and the critical infrastructures of society. The emphasis is on global awareness within the context of local communities and having a combined influence on different aspects of sustainability simultaneously.

Design thinking: Students learn to apply creative problem-solving tools and methods to facilitate dialogue, define problems, generate ideas and attain solutions.

Sustainability management: Students learn to develop, support and manage sustainability initiatives for society at large, for business purposes and the needs of other organisations. Students also gain an understanding of the way different organisational forms and work practices can support the pursuit of sustainability.

Project management: Students learn to manage multidisciplinary teamwork, and to promote sustainability in culturally diverse organisational environments.

Creative Sustainability - Master of Arts 2018–2020

Director of the Master's Programme: Professor Mikko Jalas

Aims of the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree

The aim of the degree is to provide students with:

good theoretical and general knowledge of as well as artistic and practical expertise in their field of study as well as a general knowledge of the field of arts;
knowledge and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work and for multidisciplinary collaboration as well as knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods;
knowledge and skills to perform, both independently and collaboratively, demanding expert, development and management duties of the field, and to cooperate internationally;
knowledge and skills needed for education leading to a Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) degree and for lifelong learning;
good language and communication skills for work in the field of arts and for international operations and cooperation.

The education shall be based on scientific research and artistic activity and professional practices in the field.

Learning Outcomes

The International Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability (CS) is a joint master’s degree programme of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the School of Business and the School of Engineering. The global and local challenges and the complexity of future scenarios increasingly require a multidisciplinary approach as well as education that can address the linkages between the environmental, the economic and the socio-cultural. The CS programme provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of architecture, business, design, built environment and real estate for dealing with the significant challenges of sustainability which background is in climate change, global poverty, social and economic inequality, demographic changes and rapid global economic changes. The CS programme offers students opportunities to collaborate with research projects, companies, organisations and students from other disciplines. The students will graduate with degrees of Master of Arts. The CS Programme is also offered as minor subject studies for students of the Aalto University study programmes.

The Master ‘s Programme in Creative Sustainability brings together students from different fields to study in multidisciplinary teams, increasing their understanding of different disciplines and enabling holistic approaches. This activates students to create new sustainable solutions for the human, urban, industrial and business environments.

Learning Outcomes of the Master`s Programme in Creative Sustainability:

Multidisciplinary approach: Students learn to adapt knowledge, skills and new approaches to reach collaborative solutions based on ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability.

Design thinking: Students learn to apply creative problem-solving tools and methods to facilitate dialogue, define problems, generate ideas and attain solutions.

Project management: Students learn to manage multidisciplinary teamwork, and to promote sustainability in culturally diverse organisational environments.

Skills outcomes of the CS in the Department of Design:

Students learn to analyse sustainability problems and engage with them in a systemic, holistic and creative way
Students are able to use design thinking and participatory approaches as problem solving tools
Students are able to implement sustainable design methods and tools in concept, service and product design processes
Students understand values and responsibilities of design discipline related to political, societal and business contexts
Students learn how to participate in and lead design debate and evaluate and critique design
Students understand the role of different disciplines in a multidisciplinary team

Academic skills:

Students are able to engage in both theory- and practice-based research processes
Students master the basics of academic writing, and are able to effectively utilize existing design research

Code: ARTS215.M
Credits: 90 ECTS cr of advanced studies (60 ECTS courses + 30 ECTS master's thesis)
Director of the Master's Programme: Professor Mikko Jalas

Education Content

The Creative Sustainability programme comprises theoretical lessons, workshops, practical projects, excursions and a thesis. Courses deepen the basis for professional skills in methods and responsibilities of sustainable product and service design. Contents of the projects can vary from material innovation to enhancement of social sustainability in challenging contexts. Courses and projects are carried out within topics of interest for partner organizations that can be e.g. private companies, non-governmental organizations or other associations or public organizations. Projects are launched to solve a real and practical problem of a partner in Finland or abroad.

The two-year programme consists of 120 ECTS, composed of joint Creative Sustainability compulsorystudies, compulsory studies in the Department of Design, elective studies and master's thesis. The curriculum is based on personal study plans, in which the students can also include studies completed at other universities or other modules from Aalto University. The pedagogical approach is based on integrating teaching and research, problem- based learning and strong connection to practical outcomes.

Creative Sustainability studies at the Department of Design empower and encourage students to create new roles for designers in the professional fields and prepare students to start own companies or work as sustainability experts in organizations that have a strategic view on transformation towards sustainability. These include the private and public sectors as well as a wide range of NGO´s.

Graduates of Creative Sustainability programme (MA) will work as designers, experts, educators, researchers managers and directors in the organizations that have a strategic view on transformation towards sustainability.

Further information about the programme: acs.aalto.fi

For the exact dates of each period, please check Academic calendar 2018-2020

Courses

Major Studies 90 ECTS (60 ECTS courses + 30 ECTS master's thesis)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Timing to take compulsory courses (for 2018-2020)
Joint Studies of the Department of Design (all compulsory)		12
MUO-E0000	INTRO	2	1. year, period I
MUO-E0010	Design and Culture	4	1. year, period I + period II
MUO-E0002	Design Research	4	1. year, period III + period V
MUO-E0004	Thesis seminar	2	2. year, period I
Creative Sustainability Compulsory Module		24
MUO-E8024	Creative Teamwork	3	1. year, period I
21E16001	Sustainability in Business	6	1. year, period I
WAT-E3020	State of the World and Development	2	1. year, period I
SPT-E1050	Systems Thinking for Sustainable Living Environment	5	1. year, period III-IV
MUO-E8016	Knowledge-Making for Sustainability	2	1. year, period V
21E12002	CAPSTONE in Creative Sustainability (for the second year)	6	2. year, period III-IV
Compulsory Creative Sustainability courses in the Department of Design		8
MUO-E8025	Sustainable Product and Service Design	6	1. year, period II
MUO-E8017	Eco-auditing	2	1. year, period II
Alternative CS Courses List (for 1. year + 2. year), Choose		16	According to student's study plan. Course is arranged in the mentioned period.
Department of Design
MUO-E8012	Design for Government	10	period IV-V
MUO-E8015	CS Project	1–12
MUO-E8018	Sustainability Politics	5	period I
MUO-E8019	Sociotechnical Transitions towards Sustainability (course held in Tongji)	5
MUO-E8021	Participatory Methods and Facilitation Skills	5	period I
MUO-E8023	Values in Design Futures	5	period V
MUO-E8026	Designing for urban governance and services	5	period IV
MUO-E8027	Urban transitions and futures	5	period IV
Department of Architecture
ARK-E2007	Interplay of Cultures, Studio (Notice: "WAT-E2060 Sustainable Built Environment" should be completed first)	10	period III-V
ARK-E3506	Revitalize	5
ARK-E4009	Sustainability Tools for Building Designers	2-5	period III
ARK-E5001	Possible Cities	10	period III-IV
MAR-E1005	Restoration and Management of Urban Biotopes	9
MAR-E1024	Sustainable Landscape – EIA, studio	10
MAR-E1025	Green Area Planning	7	period I-II
School of Business
21E10000	How to change the world: Innovating toward Sustainability	6	period III
21E11001	Dialogues in Corporate Responsibility in Global Economy (not offered 2019-2020)	6
21E16100	Energy Business and Innovation	6	period V
22E29100	Accounting for Sustainability	6	period II
25E18000	Sustainable Entrepreneurship	6	period IV
26E03302	Sustainability in International Business	6	period II
35E03000	Sustainable Supply Chains	6	Period II (2019-2020)
51E00100	Business Ethics	6	period IV
77E28000	Corporate Responsibility Communication	6	period III
21E06050	Responsibility Management (book exam)	6	exam dates
School of Engineering / Department of Built Environment:
REC-E3100	Real Estate Economics	6	period I
REC-E3200	Institutions in Real Estate Economics	6	period I
REC-E4700	Environmental Law	6	period V
REC-E4400	Real Estate Business and Entrepreneurship	6	period IV-V
REC-E4200	Real Estate Development	6	period IV
WAT-E2060	Sustainable Built Environment	5	period II
WAT-E2070	Sustainable Global Technologies Studio (“WAT-E3020 State of the World and Development” and “WAT-E2060 Sustainable Built Environment” should be completed first.)	10	period III-V

Students choose 30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete minor studies and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities, participate in an international student exchange programme, do an internship in Finland or abroad, or take courses from Alternative CS course list. Students are also recommended to take courses from the Department of Design, such as MUO-E3008 Designing for Services.

Elective studies are completed during the 1. year and 2. year.

You can choose courses from the links below.

Elective courses, Aalto cross-school courses:
https://into.aalto.fi/display/enopinnot/Elective+courses
(all the courses except the courses by ARTS)
UWAS-courses:
http://uwas.aalto.fi/
Courses according to Schools:
https://courses.aalto.fi/

Aims of the master's thesis

To graduate, students must meet the aims set for the thesis. The aim of the master's thesis is that:

- Students demonstrate command of the field of the master's programme and ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme independently;

- Students demonstrate ability for research-oriented work on an artistic, theoretical or applied research topic and demonstrate ability to use data and source material for research purposes;

- Students demonstrate good communication skills for work in the field of study.

The thesis may be a piece of theoretical, artistic or applied research, a work of art or a combination of these; it may also include a production component. The production component may be, depending on the field, for instance, a design, a work of art, an exhibition, or project. Theses always include a written component. If the thesis consists of a design or other production component and a written component, the student must specify the emphasis to be given to the different components in the evaluation. However, the thesis is always evalu-ated as a whole, with all the components of the thesis included in the evaluation.

The recommended extent of the written component of the thesis is 25–70 pages (approx. 50 000–140 000 characters) depending on the extent of the possible production component.

Master's thesis is written during the 2. academic year.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
MUO.thes	Master's Thesis	30
ARTSa.matr	Maturity Test	0

For more information on completing your thesis see:Completing your master's thesis

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish, i.e. whose official mother tongue is Finnish or Swedish, language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Arts (Art and Design):

12 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland, and 6 cr in one foreign language.

Courses fulfilling language requirements for Master of Arts (Art and Design)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Written and Oral Communication		3
Course LCA-7000 Write and Speak Competently for students educated in Finnish, Course LCA-5705 Konsten att tala och skriva professionellt for students educated in Swedish
LCA-7000	Write and Speak Competently	3
LCA-5705	Konsten att tala och skriva professionellt	3
Second national language of Finland		3
LCA-5703	Writing and Talking about Art in Swedish	3
LCA-5704	Foundations of Writing and Talking about Art (Swedish)	4
LCA-5701	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Writing Test)	2
LCA-5702	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Oral Test	1
LCA-7003	National Language Requirement (Finnish) Writing Test	2
LCA-7004	National Language Requirement (Finnish), Oral Test	1
Foreign language: English		6
To fulfil the foreign language requirement (3 cr for the field of technology and 6 cr for the field of arts), students must demonstrate both oral and written skills (marked o+w) in a single language of their choice by taking courses at the CEFR level of B1–B2. In addition to English, the required foreign language studies may be completed in any of the following languages: Spanish, Italian, Chinese, French, German or Russian.
LCA-1008	Writing in Art, Design and Architecture (w)	3
LCA-1009	Talking Art, Design and Architecture (o)	3
LCA-1014	Directed Studies (o/w)	1-4
LCA-1020	Academic Communication for Master's students (o,w)	3
LCA-1022	Academic Writing (w)	3
LCA-1015	Autonomous Language Learning Path (o + w)	3
LCA-1016	Autonomous Language Learning Path II (o + w)	3
LCA-1112	Online Presentation Skills for ARTS (o)	3
LCA-1012	Integrated Written Skills (w)	3
LCA-1013	Integrated Oral Skills (o)	3
LCA-1018	Recognition of prior English learning (AHOT in Finnish; o + w)	6

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish (i.e. whose official mother tongue is neither Finnish nor Swedish) or who have been educated abroad, the language requirements are:

Master of Arts (Art and Design): 6 cr

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree by completing courses that support their studies or their stay in Finland. Students who have been educated abroad are recommended to take Finnish courses as well as English courses that focus on the field-specific language of arts or technology and fulfil the language requirement of the degree. Students may also choose to fulfil the language requirement by completing courses in another foreign language of their choice; all courses counted towards the requirement must be taken in the same language. Language studies may either be counted towards the electives of the degree or completed in addition to the studies required for the degree.

For details on the language courses offered, see the Language Centre page.

Centre for General Studies (YoYo) offers a variety of art and theory courses which can be included in the elective studies.

Drawing and painting

Drawing and painting courses consist of two-dimensional expression carried out by various methods. The work involved emphasises the importance of practice, or ‘learning by doing’, but without losing sight of the connections to theory. The studies include working with drawing, painting and mixed-media. The student will gain increased awareness of the workings of visual perception and of different ways of describing the surrounding world and our relationship to it. The course also examines the role of ideas and concepts in art as well as art’s relation to design, its role in society and its significance.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Drawing and painting
ARTS-A0608	General Studies Courses with Varying Contents	2-10	Finnish / English	I, II. III, IV or V
ARTS-A0201	Freehand Drawing	6	English (Finnish)	I-II
ARTS-A0213	Watercolour Workshop	4	English (Finnish)	Summer
ARTS-A0209	Drawing and Painting Workshop, BA	6	Finnish	III-IV
ARTS-A0214	Life Drawing for Comic Artists	1	Finnish (English)	I
ARTS-A0211	Life Drawing A	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-A0212	Life Drawing B	6	Finnish (English)	III-IV
ARTS-A0215	Drawing in Space	2	Finnish (English)	V
ARTS-A0216	Drawing and Narrative	2	Finnish (English)	V
ARTS-A0217	Landscape - Then and Now	3	Finnish (English)	IV
ARTS-A0218	Basics of Comic Art	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-A0206	Comics Workshop	1	Finnish (English)	I
ARTS-A0220	Comic Art Project	6	Finnish (English)	III-IV
ARTS-A0219	Forms of Comics Expression and Storytelling	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-E0201	Painting Workshop (MA)	6	English (Finnish)	I-II, III-IV

Colour and perception

Colour and perception studies focus on visual perception and the theories about it. The English-language version of the course contains both theory and practical assignments. The course covers basic concepts about colour and the principles of colour perception. The course covers basic colour concepts and principles of colour perception. Colour composition and contrasts and their effects – mainly in two-dimensional expression – are studied by experimental means. The course ‘Colour-light-space’ is aimed mainly at Master’s students of architecture, interior architecture and landscape architecture. Through lectures and assignments, it deals with the role of colour and lighting in architecture and in building a city’s image.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Colour and perception
ARTS-A0303	Varying Courses in Colour and Perception	2-10	Finnish	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-E0301	Colour - Light - Space	6	Finnish	III-IV
ARTS-A0302	Colour and Perception	4	English	II

Sculpture

Sculpture studies provide students with the skills needed to work with contemporary sculpture and design. Skills that students can apply in their own fields are emphasised, such as how to research new materials, working methods and methodologies. The ‘Ways of Making’ courses offer practical experience working in a sculptor’s studio, and ‘Metal Casting’ introduces foundry techniques. ‘Digital Sculpture’ introduces new and developing technologies in 3D art, and ways to combine these with traditional sculptural techniques. Conceptual and theory-intensive sculpture studies are also included within the contemporary art courses programme.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Sculpture
ARTS-A0400	Sculpture Courses with Varying Contens	2–10	English / Finnish	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-A0404	Ways of Making 1 – Mold making & casting techniques	5	English (Finnish)	Summer
ARTS-A0411	Ways of Making 2 – Constructing sculpture with wood and metal	5	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0409	Ways of Making 3 – Kinetic & robotic sculpture	2-4	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0412	Digital Sculpture 1 – 3D modelling for Sculpture	3	English (Finnish)	I
ARTS-A0407	Digital Sculpture 3 – Programming for sculptors	2	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-A0413	Metal Casting 101	3	English (Finnish)	I
ARTS-A0414	Synths & Amps	3	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-A0415	Sonic Sculpture	5	English (Finnish)	II
ARTS-E0400	Advanced Metal Casting	3	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-E0401	Advanced Sculpture Project	4	English (Finnish)	II-IV
ARTS-E0710	Digital Workshop Basics	1-2	English	I, II, III and IV

Printmaking

Printmaking involves the handcrafting of printing plates as well as the prints produced by various methods (copperplate, woodblock, limestone, mesh screen). Prints are regarded as original artworks. Basic courses in printmaking offer the rudiments in a variety of printing techniques and develop the student’s command of the tools used. The intermediate courses deepen the knowledge and skill levels of students in their chosen method and enlarge their range of artistic expression. As printmaking is a specialisation study, beginners are recommended to take it during their second year of Bachelor’s studies.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Printmaking
ARTS-A0502	Introduction to Silkscreen	3	English (Finnish)	I-II and III-IV
ARTS-A0503	Advanced Course in Screen Printing	3	English (Finnish)	IV-V (spring 2019)
ARTS-A0504	Introduction to Intaglio	3	English (Finnish)	I-II and III-IV
ARTS-A0505	Advanced Course in Intaglio	3	English (Finnish)	IV-V (spring 2019)
ARTS-A0506	Japanese Watercolour Woodcut	3	English (Finnish)	I-II
ARTS-A0507	Basic Course in Woodcut	3	English (Finnish)	III-IV

Contemporary art

Most of the contemporary arts courses focus on the production of art. In addition, the courses update students on the respective expressive forms of contemporary art today, including their current trends, recent histories and ways of operating. While the thematic content of the courses is defined by the teacher, the main emphasis is on themes and concerns of interest to the students themselves.
While the contemporary art courses are aimed at the Master’s level, Bachelor’s as well as Doctoral students may also attend or seek admission. Most of the courses are taught in English.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Contemporary art
ARTS-E0706	Contemporary Art Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish /English	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-E0700	Aistien maailma / The Realm of the Senses	4–8	Finnish / English	III-IV (Spring 2020)
ARTS-E0701	Contemporary Drawing	6	English (Finnish)	III-V
ARTS-E0709	Media Intervention in the City	5	English (Finnish)	IV (Spring 2019)
ARTS-E0708	Sculpture Now!	5	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-E0707	Hey, We´re in Space! / An Introduction to Installation Art	4	English (Finnish)	IV-V (Spring 2019)
ARTS-E0705	Reality Show / Performance Art Course	2	English (Finnish)	V (Spring 2020)

Art history and theory

Art history and theory courses aim to provide a general overview of the history and key theoretical questions and conceptions of art, design and architecture. The courses also discuss the relationship of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture with social change and cultural history. Seeking to enrich student understanding of their own fields, a particular goal of the classes in theory is to clarify critical concepts and thereby boost the abilities of students to resolve problems in their respective areas. History and theory classes in art and design build competencies relevant to research-based knowledge.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Art history and theory
ARTS-A0601	Art History Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish / English	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-A0612	Nykytaiteen historia	4	Finnish	I-II
ARTS-A0607	History of Comics	2	Finnish	I
ARTS-A0609	Taiteen evoluutio	2	Finnish	I-II (Autumn 2019)
ARTS-A0617	Unfolding the Narrative. Contemporary view on Finnish Art History	3	English	II
ARTS-A0618	Unfolding the Narrative. Contemporary view on Finnish Design History	3	English	IV
ARTS-A0620	Dressing up: Fashion and Clothing in European History	2	English	II
ARTS-E0601	The Philosophy of Knowledge and Skills	4	Finnish	I-II (Autumn 2018)
ARTS-E0603	Seminar of Environmental Thinking, Aesthetics and Art	3	English	I
ARTS-E0604	Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art	4	English	III-IV

Digital Arts

The Digital Arts courses introduce students to the basic skills needed to work with screen based and digital arts. Students can learn how to use tools such as digital cameras and software that are widely used in all areas of creative work. Programming for artists introduces visual artists and designers to the wider world of computer programming.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
ARTS-A0700	Photography and Image Processing	4	Finnish (English)	IV
ARTS-A0701	Digital art 1 - programming for visual artists	2	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0702	Digital painting and vector illustration (online course)	6	Finnish	I-II and IV-V
ARTS-A0608	General Studies Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish / English	I, II, III, IV or V

Creative Sustainability - M.Sc. Degree in Architecture (old programme)

Code: ARTS21.M
Credits: 60 ECTS cr
Programme Director: Professor Mikko Jalas
Teacher in Charge of Major: Executive in Residence Matti Kuittinen

Education Content

Creative Sustainability programme (CS) provides a multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of architecture, built environment, business and design. It allows students to study and develop solutions to global sustainability concerns such as climate change, resource scarcity, global poverty as well as social and economic inequality.

Global and local challenges call for multidisciplinary approaches and the inter-linkage of environmental, economic, socio-cultural aspects in education. CS programme brings together students who are devoted to develop systemic solutions, work in multidisciplinary teams and challenge themselves with practical learning tasks. The studies offer students opportunities to collaborate with research projects, companies, organisations and students from other disciplines.

The International Master’s Programme in Creative Sustainability is a joint master’s degree programme at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, School of Business and School of Engineering. CS students who entre the program via department of Architecture will graduate with degrees of Master of Science in Architecture.

Students who enter the CS program through the Department of Architecture learn to integrate sustainability and life cycle approach into architectural design process. They are expected to question conventional design approaches and challenge others into systems thinking in the built environment. See also the programme's own pages (website works better with Google Chrome and Firefox).

Degree structure of the programme

Name	ECTS credits
Master of Science (Architecture)	120
Major subject (Architecture)	60
Specialized Studies in Creative Sustainability Compulsory joint studies of the programme, 30 cr	30
Master’s Thesis (ARK.thes) The Master’s Thesis’ topic shall be chosen from either of the two following educational fields: 1) Building Design, 2) Urban Planning and Design	30

Courses

Compulsory and alternative courses in the Major Subject (Architecture)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Compulsory courses		Max. 40-43
ARK-E3500	Building Site Monitoring (compulsory)	3
ARK-E1508 ARK- E5512	Methodology (choose at least one methodology course) Introduction to Architectural Design Pre-Thesis Seminar	5
ARTSt.matr	Maturity test	0
ARK-E4009	Sustainability Tools for Building Designers (compulsory)	2-5
The student also selects at least 3 of the following architecture studio courses in 2 different topics: Building Design and Urban Planning and Design
Field 1: Building Design
ARK-E2002	Building Design Studio 1 (Pikku-Finlandia)	10
ARK-E2003	Building Design Studio 2	10
ARK-E2007	Interplay of Cultures, Studio	10
ARK-E4500	Housing in Urban Context	10
ARK-E4501	Diversifying Forms of Living	10
ARK-E3503	Advanced Materials and Techniques in Architecture (occasional)	10
ARK-E3508	Reuse of Buildings, Studio	10
ARK-E3003	Design of Structures Autumn Studio	10
ARK-E3004	Design of Structures Spring Studio	10
	Other occasional studio courses in Building Design	min. 10 op
Field 2: Urban Planning and Design
ARK-E5001	Possible Cities	10
USP-E0304	Urban Challenge Studio 1	10
ARK-E5501	Urban Renewal, Studio	10
	Other occasional studio courses in Urban Planning and Design	min. 10
ALTERNATIVE COURSES All the courses mentioned above are also suitable for alternative studies in the Major. Within the limits of course supply taught in English, all master’s level courses in architecture are suitable. Please notice: Not all courses are taught annually. Suitable courses are e.g. as follows:		Max. 17-20
ARK-E2006	Building Design Studio Lectures	3
ARK-E3509	Construction Documents (Notice: This course is compulsory if the thesis topic is from the field of Building Design)	5–10 (min. 5)
ARK-E1502	Architectural Studio 1	10
ARK-E1503	Architectural Studio 2	10
ARK-C1005	History of Finnish Architecture	2–5
ARK-C2003	Contemporary Finnish Architecture	2
ARK-E2509	Design of Structures Theory	5
ARK-E3008	Design of Structures Seminar	3
ARK-E 2512	Parametric Design	3-5
ARK-E2513	Algorithmic Design	3-6
ARK-E4000	Wood in Architecture and Construction	3-6
	(Architectural) Special Projects	1–10
	(Architectural) Courses with Varying Content	1–10
ARK-E0100	Architectural Competitions	1–10
ARK-L5000	Planning Theory and Urban Studies	5 - 10

Code: ARTStSP.E
Credits: 30 ECTS cr

Compulsory joint studies of the programme, 30 cr

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
SPECIALIZED STUDIES IN CREATIVE SUSTAINABILITY IN ARCHITECTURE Compulsory joint studies of the programme		30
MUO-E8024	Creative Teamwork	3
MUO-E8016	Knowledge-Making for Sustainability	2
WAT-E3020	State of the World and Development	2
SPT-E1050	Systems Thinking for Sustainable Living Environment	5
21E16001	Sustainability in Business	6
21E12002	CAPSTONE in Creative Sustainability	6
MUO-E8025	Sustainable Product and Service Design	6

Students educated in Finnish or Swedish

For students educated in Finnish or Swedish language studies are designed to be completed as part of the Bachelor of Science (Technology) or another Bachelor’s degree. Students who have not completed the required language studies before starting to pursue the master’s degrees specified above must complete them either as elective studies or in addition to the studies required for the degree. In such cases, the language requirements are as follows:

Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture)

9 credits: 3 cr in written and oral communication, 3 cr in the second national language of Finland and 3 cr in one foreign language.

Courses fulfilling language requirements for Master of Arts (Art and Design), Master of Science (Architecture) and Master of Science (Landscape Architecture)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
Written and Oral Communication		3
Courses LC-7108 Write Competently and LC-0450 Speak Competently for students educated in Finnish. Course LCA-5705 Konsten att tala och skriva professionellt for students educated in Swedish.
LC-7108	Write Competently	2
LC-0450	Speak Competently	1
LCA-5705	Konsten att tala och skriva professionellt	3
Second national language of Finland		3
LCA-5703	Writing and Talking about Art in Swedish	3
LCA-5704	Foundations of Writing and Talking about Art (Swedish)	4
LCA-5701	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Writing Test)	2
LCA-5702	National Language Requirement (Swedish) Oral Test	1
LCA-7003	National Language Requirement (Finnish) Writing Test	2
LCA-7004	National Language Requirement (Finnish), Oral Test	1
Foreign language: English		3
To fulfil the foreign language requirement (3 cr for the field of technology), students must demonstrate both oral and written skills (marked o+w) in a single language of their choice by taking courses at the CEFR level of B1–B2. Students of architecture or landscape architecture may choose from courses intended for the students of technology (coded ‘LC’) or courses intended for the students of arts (coded ‘LCA’). As the LCA courses are designed to fulfil the more extensive language requirements of the field of arts, students of technology must ensure that the courses chosen fulfil both the oral and written language requirements of their degree. In addition to English, the required foreign language studies may be completed in any of the following languages: Spanish, Chinese, French, German or Russian.
LC-1114	Communicating Technology (o+w)	3
LC-1115	Persuasive Communication (o+w)	3
LC-1119	Recognition of prior English learning (AHOT in Finnish) (o+w)	3
LC-1310	Academic Communication for MSc Students (o+w)	3
LC-1320	Thesis Writing for Engineers (MSc) (w)	3
LC-1110	Online Writing Skills for Engineers 1 (w)	1
LC-1111	Online Writing Skills for Engineers 2 (w)	1
LC-1112	Online Presentation Skills for Engineers (o)	2
LC-1120	Online Persuasive Presentations for Engineers (o9	1
LC-1113	Autonomous Language Learning Path (o+w)	3

Students educated in other languages than Finnish or Swedish

For students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad, the language requirements are:

Master of Science (Architecture/Landscape Architecture): 3 cr

Students in this category may fulfil the language requirement for their Master of Science (Architecture) or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture) degree by completing courses that support their studies or their stay in Finland. Students who have been educated abroad are recommended to take Finnish courses as well as English courses that focus on the field-specific language of technology and fulfil the language requirement of the degree. Students may also choose to fulfil the language requirement by completing courses in another foreign language of their choice; all courses counted towards the requirement must be taken in the same language. Language studies may either be counted towards the electives of the degree or completed in addition to the studies required for the degree.

Centre for General Studies (YoYo) offers a variety of art and theory courses which can be included in the elective studies.

Drawing and painting

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Drawing and painting
ARTS-A0608	General Studies Courses with Varying Contents	2-10	Finnish / English	I, II. III, IV or V
ARTS-A0201	Freehand Drawing	6	English (Finnish)	I-II
ARTS-A0213	Watercolour Workshop	4	English (Finnish)	Summer
ARTS-A0209	Drawing and Painting Workshop, BA	6	Finnish	III-IV
ARTS-A0214	Life Drawing for Comic Artists	1	Finnish (English)	I
ARTS-A0211	Life Drawing A	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-A0212	Life Drawing B	6	Finnish (English)	III-IV
ARTS-A0215	Drawing in Space	2	Finnish (English)	V
ARTS-A0216	Drawing and Narrative	2	Finnish (English)	V
ARTS-A0217	Landscape - Then and Now	3	Finnish (English)	IV
ARTS-A0218	Basics of Comic Art	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-A0206	Comics Workshop	1	Finnish (English)	I
ARTS-A0220	Comic Art Project	6	Finnish (English)	III-IV
ARTS-A0219	Forms of Comics Expression and Storytelling	6	Finnish (English)	I-II
ARTS-E0201	Painting Workshop (MA)	6	English (Finnish)	I-II, III-IV

Colour and perception

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Colour and perception
ARTS-A0303	Varying Courses in Colour and Perception	2-10	Finnish	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-E0301	Colour - Light - Space	6	Finnish	III-IV
ARTS-A0302	Colour and Perception	4	English	II

Sculpture

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Sculpture
ARTS-A0400	Sculpture Courses with Varying Contens	2–10	English / Finnish	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-A0404	Ways of Making 1 – Mold making & casting techniques	5	English (Finnish)	Summer
ARTS-A0411	Ways of Making 2 – Constructing sculpture with wood and metal	5	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0409	Ways of Making 3 – Kinetic & robotic sculpture	2-4	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0412	Digital Sculpture 1 – 3D modelling for Sculpture	3	English (Finnish)	I
ARTS-A0407	Digital Sculpture 3 – Programming for sculptors	2	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-A0413	Metal Casting 101	3	English (Finnish)	I
ARTS-A0414	Synths & Amps	3	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-A0415	Sonic Sculpture	5	English (Finnish)	II
ARTS-E0400	Advanced Metal Casting	3	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-E0401	Advanced Sculpture Project	4	English (Finnish)	II-IV
ARTS-E0710	Digital Workshop Basics	1-2	English	I, II, III and IV

Printmaking

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Printmaking
ARTS-A0502	Introduction to Silkscreen	3	English (Finnish)	I-II and III-IV
ARTS-A0503	Advanced Course in Screen Printing	3	English (Finnish)	IV-V (spring 2019)
ARTS-A0504	Introduction to Intaglio	3	English (Finnish)	I-II and III-IV
ARTS-A0505	Advanced Course in Intaglio	3	English (Finnish)	IV-V (spring 2019)
ARTS-A0506	Japanese Watercolour Woodcut	3	English (Finnish)	I-II
ARTS-A0507	Basic Course in Woodcut	3	English (Finnish)	III-IV

Contemporary art

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Contemporary art
ARTS-E0706	Contemporary Art Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish /English	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-E0700	Aistien maailma / The Realm of the Senses	4–8	Finnish / English	III-IV (Spring 2020)
ARTS-E0701	Contemporary Drawing	6	English (Finnish)	III-V
ARTS-E0709	Media Intervention in the City	5	English (Finnish)	IV (Spring 2019)
ARTS-E0708	Sculpture Now!	5	English (Finnish)	III
ARTS-E0707	Hey, We´re in Space! / An Introduction to Installation Art	4	English (Finnish)	IV-V (Spring 2019)
ARTS-E0705	Reality Show / Performance Art Course	2	English (Finnish)	V (Spring 2020)

Art history and theory

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
Art history and theory
ARTS-A0601	Art History Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish / English	I, II, III, IV or V
ARTS-A0612	Nykytaiteen historia	4	Finnish	I-II
ARTS-A0607	History of Comics	2	Finnish	I
ARTS-A0609	Taiteen evoluutio	2	Finnish	I-II (Autumn 2019)
ARTS-A0617	Unfolding the Narrative. Contemporary view on Finnish Art History	3	English	II
ARTS-A0618	Unfolding the Narrative. Contemporary view on Finnish Design History	3	English	IV
ARTS-A0620	Dressing up: Fashion and Clothing in European History	2	English	II
ARTS-E0601	The Philosophy of Knowledge and Skills	4	Finnish	I-II (Autumn 2018)
ARTS-E0603	Seminar of Environmental Thinking, Aesthetics and Art	3	English	I
ARTS-E0604	Global Perspectives: Re-mapping the History of Art	4	English	III-IV

Digital Arts

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Language of instruction	Period
ARTS-A0700	Photography and Image Processing	4	Finnish (English)	IV
ARTS-A0701	Digital art 1 - programming for visual artists	2	English (Finnish)	IV
ARTS-A0702	Digital painting and vector illustration (online course)	6	Finnish	I-II and IV-V
ARTS-A0608	General Studies Courses with Varying Contents	2–10	Finnish / English	I, II, III, IV or V

Creative Sustainability - M.Sc. Degree in Technology (old programme)

Major studies (60 cr)
Master's thesis (30 cr)
Elective studies (30 cr)

Creative Sustainability in Real Estate and Water Management

Code: ENG3079
Professor in charge: Saija Toivonen

Creative Sustainability is a cross-disciplinary programme (120 cr) offered in English. The programme is organized jointly by different schools of Aalto University and it is coordinated by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The programme offers expertise in urban and industrial sustainability along with corporate responsibility. Students will be encouraged to rethink design, architecture, business management, industrial management, and real estate economics and water management, and to create new sustainable solutions for our various environments. The programme brings together students from different fields to work in multidisciplinary teams, increasing their holistic understanding of different fields and how they interconnect. It is built on a number of fundamental disciplines: real estate economics, water management, urban planning, landscaping, design, construction planning and architecture, responsible business operations, and industrial design in general.

Creative Sustainability in Real Estate and Water Management

Extent: 60 cr
Professor in charge: Saija Toivonen

Major studies (60 cr)

Common studies (compulsory courses, 30 cr)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
REC-E3100	Real Estate Economics	6	I (autumn), ENG
REC-E3200	Institutions in Real Estate Economics	6	I (autumn), ENG
WAT-E3020	State of the World and Development	2	I (autumn), ENG
MUO-E8024	Creative Teamwork	3	I (autumn), ARTS
MUO-E8025	Sustainable Product and Service Design	6	II (autumn), ARTS
SPT-E1050	Systems Thinking for Sustainable Living Environment	5	III-IV (spring), ENG
MUO-E8016	Knowledge-Making for Sustainability	2	V (spring), ARTS

Advanced studies (compulsory courses, 30 cr)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
WAT-E2060	Sustainable Built Environment	5	II (autumn), ENG
REC-E4400	Real Estate Business and Entrepreneurship	6	V (spring), ENG
REC-E5100	Special Topics in Real Estate Economics	1	I, II, III, IV, V (autumn or spring), ENG
REC-E4700	Environmental Law	6	I, II, III, IV, V (autumn or spring), ENG
21E16001	Sustainability in Business	6	I (autumn, 2nd year), BIZ
21E12002	CAPSTONE in Creative Sustainability	6	III-IV (spring, 2nd year), BIZ

^{ENG = School of Engineering}
^{ARTS = School of Arts, Design and Architecture}
^{BIZ = School of Business}

Master’s thesis (30 cr)

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
BE.thes	Master's thesis	30	spring/autumn, ENG

Elective studies (30 cr)

For free elective studies you can study courses offered by Aalto University or by other universities as it is possible by Aalto internal and inter institutional agreements and procedures and course specific prerequisites. Kindly note that your elective studies do not have to form a minor, but can include different types of courses totaling 30 credits.
The choice for elective studies is thus entirely yours: the most important thing is that your elective studies complement your major studies, and provide you with expertise that you personally feel important and inspiring for your career.

Foreign language studies (minimum 3 cr in the same language) are required for the completion of the MSc (Tech) degree in some cases. Please see more information about language requirements for the master's degree students:

Please find language courses and other information about learning languages from here: Language and communication studies
Finnish or Swedish language courses are strongly recommended for elective studies for international students.

Courses below are available for the students of CS programme (these courses are not compulsory):

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
Courses offered by Department of Design (ARTS)
MUO-E8021	Participatory Methods and Faciliation Skills	5	I (autumn)
MUO-E8027	Urban Transitions and Futures	5	IV (spring)
MUO-E8012	Design for Government	10	IV-V (spring)
MUO-E8017	Eco-auditing	2	II (autumn), III (spring)
MUO-E8018	Sustainability Politics	5	I (autumn)
Courses offered by Department of Architecture (ARTS)
ARK-E2007	Interplay of Cultures, Studio (WAT-E2060 should be completed first.)	10	III-V (spring)
ARK-E4009	Sustainability Tools for Building Designers	2-5
MAR-E1024	Sustainable Landscape - EIA, studio	10
MAR-E1005	Restoration and Management of Urban Biotopes	9
MAR-E1025	Green Area Planning	7
Courses offered by School of Business (BIZ)
21E10000	How to change the world: Innovating toward Sustainability	6
21E11001	Dialogues in Corporate Responsibility in Global Economy	6	(not offered 2019-2020)
22E29100	Accounting for Sustainability	6
25E18000	Sustainable Entrepreneurship	6
51E00100	Business Ethics	6
21E06050	Responsibility Management (book exam)	6	exams
Courses offered by Department of Built Environment (ENG)
REC-E4200	Real Estate Development	6	IV (spring)
WAT-E2070	Sustainable Global Technologies Studio ("WAT-E3020 State of the World and Development" and "WAT-E2060 Sustainable Built Environment" shoud be completed first.)	10	III-V (spring)

^{ENG = School of Engineering, ARTS = School of Arts, Design and Architecture, BIZ = School of Business.}

The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the major studies.
You can apply for a topic for your thesis when a minimum of 60 credits counted towards the master’s degree has completed.

Before getting started, read our school’s instructions on theses here (Completing your master's thesis, Real Estate Economics) or here (Completing your master's thesis Water and Environmental Engineering)

Master´s thesis - starting and topic

Start defining your topic. When doing it is suggested to consider the following aspects

What am I interested in? What would I like to learn about more?
What kind of research methods would I like to use (qualitative, quantitative etc)? What kind of limitations does this set for the topic (e.g. in terms of availability of data).
Am I doing the thesis independently or am I doing it for a company? If you are doing your thesis for a company, discuss the topic and timetable with your employer.

After these contemplations, you should already have some broad idea of your prospective thesis topic.
After this, read a bit of academic literature (journal articles) to find and confirm that there is a research gap.
Also check that the exact same topic has not been addresses in a Master’s thesis recently. If it has, check the thesis and confirm that your planned contribution is different from the earlier work.

Contact your supervising professor to discuss your thesis and topic. The professors at the department will help you find the right supervisor. Here you find also information about research fields of the Department of Built Environment.

You have to apply for the topic of your thesis. Please find instructions here (REC) or here (WAT).

If needed, check if there is any additional support offered by Language Center for master’s students writing their thesis in English. For example course LC-1320Thesis Writing for MSc students.

The master's thesis includes a presentation and maturity test.

Code	Course name	ECTS credits
BE.thes	Master's thesis	30 cr

Creative Sustainability - M.Sc. Degree in Economics and Business Administration

Programme studies 84 cr
Master's thesis 30 cr
Minor 24 cr
Electives 12 cr

The Creative Sustainability Master’s Programme (CS) provides students with the skills and knowledge to promote sustainable development through business. The linkages between business and sustainability are highly important in contemporary organizations, whether one wishes to be a sustainability specialist in business or a management professional operating in some other field.

Programme description

Complex sustainability challenges, such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, or poverty and inequality, call for new mindsets and skills. These mindsets should incorporate a systems-based view of the world and the ability to work with professionals from different fields and cultures. Sustainability challenges require multi-level solutions that involve a wide range of stakeholders with often competing interests. The CS programme prepares students to respond to these challenges through its international and multidisciplinary learning platform in the fields of business, design, architecture, and built environment.

The CS programme brings together students who are devoted to developing systemic solutions, working in multidisciplinary teams and challenging themselves with practical learning tasks. The studies include state-of-the-art knowledge about the interlinked environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects of sustainability coupled with learning in practical projects conducted together with business enterprises and other partner organizations. These projects often involve field project opportunities e.g. in Africa and Asia for students interested in sustainability solutions in developing countries. The CS studies cover sustainability issues in large organizations as well as small, local initiatives and innovative start-ups.

The CS programme is organized jointly by the School of Business, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the School of Engineering. CS students who enter the programme via the School of Business graduate with a degree of Master of Science in Economics and Business Administration. The CS programme has been awarded the EIT Climate-KIC programme label and those students who want to specialize in issues relating to climate innovation and receive an additional certificate of this can apply for Climate-KIC studies once accepted in the CS programme.

The two-year CS programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits, divided between compulsory joint Creative Sustainability studies, compulsory Management studies, elective studies which include a freely chosen minor subject, and a Master’s thesis. Students can also include in their degree studies conducted elsewhere at Aalto University or at other universities in Finland or abroad. More information about the course offerings is available on the programme website.

Learning outcomes

Upon graduation from the CS programme students have a unique and competitive professional profile which combines focused knowledge on sustainability with widely applicable general skills in management, design, and communications.

To achieve this learning outcome, the pedagogical approach in the CS programme emphasizes challenge-based learning, the integration of teaching and research, and a strong connection to practical outcomes. Teaching methods range from interactive classroom lessons to group assignments and practical projects carried out for partner organizations that can be e.g. business enterprises, NGOs or other associations, or public organizations.

In particular, the CS programme develops the following competences as applied to sustainability:

Multidisciplinarity: Students learn to adapt knowledge, skills and new approaches to reach collaborative solutions based on ecological, economic and socio-cultural sustainability.
Systems thinking: Students learn to use systemic thinking to problem-solve and create new holistic understandings of complex situations and the critical infrastructures of society. The emphasis is on global awareness within the context of local communities and having a combined influence on different aspects of sustainability simultaneously.
Design thinking: Students learn to apply creative problem-solving tools and methods to facilitate dialogue, define problems, generate ideas and attain solutions.
Sustainability management: Students learn to develop, support and manage sustainability initiatives for society at large, for business purposes and the needs of other organisations. Students also gain an understanding of the way different organisational forms and work practices can support the pursuit of sustainability.
Project management: Students learn to manage multidisciplinary teamwork, and to promote sustainability in culturally diverse organisational environments.
Business management: Students learn to create sustainable business models and to work proactively in organizations to develop responsible business practices.

Graduating students can leverage these competences to effectively address global and local sustainability challenges as they relate to business.

Career prospects

Sustainability considerations arise in every organization and thus there are several possible career options for someone with expertise on sustainability in business. Sustainability specialists can work in multinational companies and other large organizations, as consultants, in start-ups and as entrepreneurs, or they may deal with sustainability issues in business from positions in NGOs or the public sector. Figure 1 illustrates the range of possible professional identities of CS students together with corresponding potential employment types.

Figure 1. Possible professional identities and corresponding potential employment types of CS students

Programme directors

Professor Mikko Jalas, Director of the Creative Sustainability Programme (ARTS)

Senior University Lecturer Leena Lankoski, Creative Sustainability Programme Director at the School of Business

Programme coordinator

Berit Söderholm, [email protected]

Johanna.Haarala, [email protected]

Additional information

Creative Sustainability programme website

Programme studies 84 cr

Compulsory joint studies of CS 18 cr

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
MUO-E8024	Creative Teamwork	3 ects	I / 1^st year
WAT-E3020	State of the World and Development	2 ects	I / 1^st year
MUO-E8025	Sustainable Product and Service Design	6 ects	II / 1^st year
SPT-E1050	Systems Thinking for Sustainable Living Environment	5 ects	III-IV / 1^styear
MUO-E8016	Knowledge-making for Sustainability	2 ects	III-V / 1^styear

Compulsory research methods in BIZ 6 cr

Code	Course code	ECTS credits	Period
21E00011	Doing Qualitative Research	6 ects	II, IV / 2^ndyear
OR
26E02900	Doing Quantitative Research	6 ects	II / 2^ndyear

Choose 3 courses from the following CS-course list from BIZ 18 ECTS:

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
21E10000	How to Change the World: Innovating toward Sustainability	6 ects	III
21E11001	Dialogues on Corporate Responsibility in Global Economy	6 ects	V: 2018-2019 Not offered 2019-2020
MUO-E8018 AND 21E11002	Sustainability Politics Sustainability science and politics and business	5 ects 1 ects	I
25E18000	Sustainable Entrepreneurship	6 ects	IV
22E29100	Accounting for Sustainability	6 ects	II
21E16001	Sustainability in Business _{^{1) 2)}}	6 ects	I
21E16100	Energy Business and Innovation	6 ects	V
21E22000	Current Issues in Creative Sustainability	6 ects	Not offered 2018-2020
21E06050	Responsibility Management, book exam	6 ects	I, II, IV

^{1) This course is strongly recommended for those with little or no background in sustainability in business.}
^{2) Replaces course 21E16000 Sustainable Business and Consumption}

Compulsory CS-Capstone course from BIZ 6 ECTS:

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
21E12002	CAPSTONE in Creative Sustainability	6 ects	III-IV / 2^ndyear

Master's thesis 36 ECTS

Code	Course name	ECTS credits	Period
21E99910	Master's Thesis	30 ects	I-V / 2^ndyear
26E99905	Master's Thesis Seminar	6 ects	I, III / 2^ndyear
21E99903	Maturity test	0 ects	I-V / 2^ndyear

The minor study module of the Master’s degree is 24 credits and can be one of the following:

a module confirmed in the curriculum (a minor study entity offered at the School of Business) ,
a module completed in an official exchange programme partner of the School of Business or in another programme meeting the requirements set in the official exchange programme policy of the School of Business, or
a module earned at another Aalto University school or at another Finnish university under the agreement on flexible study rights (JOO agreement).

For a list of all the minors at Aalto University, see Minors 2018-2020

Master's degree includes 12 ECTS credits of Electives. This can consist of for example

additional studies in the degree programme,
additional studies in the minor study module,
courses from other programmes
language and communication studies,
studies at another Aalto University School,
studies at another university through the flexible study right agreement (JOO studies), or
internship (6 cr)

More information is provided under the titles Language and communication studies and Internship.

Elective studies can include basic, intermediate or advanced level courses.

Master’s thesis and thesis seminar

The programme study module includes a 30-credit thesis with a 6-credit seminar. The thesis must demonstrate readiness for scientific thinking, command of research methods, conversance with the topic of the thesis, and ability for scientific communication.

The student takes also part in a thesis seminar, which is designed to help the students to prepare their thesis work. The seminar commonly consists of meetings, completing thesis, presenting the research topic to the seminar group and acting as an opponent for a fellow student’s thesis. Seminar lasts usually the whole semester, and it is organised during both autumn and spring semesters.

Seminar practices vary depending on the degree programme: please see the instructions for each programme in Sisu or MyCourses. For instructions on writing and handing in the thesis please see the page Completing your master's thesis.

Published: 9.8.2022
Updated: 22.11.2023

Master's Programme in Creative Sustainability

Programme main page

Previous curricula

Curriculum 2018–2020