Most of construction materials, everyday household items, energy sources and groundwater originate from the earth. Megatrends like urbanization, climate change and increasing use of natural resources and energy greatly affect our lives. These scenarios generate challenges but also opportunities for specialist with knowledge in applied geosciences and construction. Geoengineers have such skills and many opportunities to work in different evolving expert assignments. Graduates are mainly employed by the industry, but also by government organizations and research institutions. They hold key positions ranging from research, teaching and consultancy, to management, design and engineering. The title in the start of the career can be a project manager, designer, site supervisor or researcher.

Geoengineering relies on a wide range of knowledge including geosciences, material sciences, mechanics and construction. Structures of interest are, for example, foundations, roads and tunnels. Geoengineering covers the whole life cycle from research and design to construction, maintenance and recycling. Field investigations, laboratory experiments and numerical modelling are the tools geoengineers are dealing with.

The Master's programme in Geoengineering offers study tracks allowing specialization in geotechnical engineering, rock engineering or highway engineering. Good geotechnical knowledge is the foundation of all construction activities. In geotechnical engineering the mechanical, hydraulic and thermal properties of the soil and their impact on foundations, soil-structure interaction and soil improvement are the main fields of interest.

Rock engineering provides education to utilize bedrock as an underground space and as a mineral and energy resource. The education gives proficiency in designing optimal structures in the rock and expertise to carry out these plans in a safe, economic and most environmentally friendly way. The core fields are rock mechanics, excavation techniques and a selection of applied geosciences.

Roads and trafficked areas are an important part of societal infrastructure and have profound impact on everyday life and the entire function of the society. The focus areas of in highway engineering are the structural design of roads and their structure including bituminous materials.

Many of the courses are designed and also completed in cooperation with the industry, covering consultants, construction companies and authorities. In addition to conventional lectures, excursions and visits are arranged with industry partners. Assignments and case studies are based on real data and they are often completed by team work to develop student’s social skills, which are of significant importance for example in large civil engineering projects.

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

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 during the first year of studies. In the advanced studies (30 cr) students can choose from a list of courses.

For their elective studies (30 cr) students can choose any courses offered at Aalto University. Also additional advanced studies courses can be included in elective studies. A list of recommended elective courses for geoengineers is provided.

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

Code: ENG23
Credits: 30 ECTS cr
Responsible Professor: Wojciech Solowski

Common studies (compulsory courses, 30  cr)

The common studies courses are compulsory for all the students and they are be completed during the first year of studies.

Advanced studies (select 30 cr from courses below)

Choose at least six courses from the list below. All combinations are allowed as long as the course specific prerequisites are followed (the prerequisites are listed in the course descriptions). Extra courses can be added into elective studies.

^{*Lectured every second year}

The master’s thesis is written on a topic related to the advanced studies of the programme, agreed upon between the student and the supervising professor. 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 a supervisor.

The master’s thesis supervisor shall be one of the professors of Aalto University and the thesis advisor shall hold at least a master’s degree.

The master's thesis includes a seminar presentation. The student is also required to write a maturity essay related to the master’s thesis.

Please see further instructions on completing the master’s 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.

Here are courses offered by other programmes at the School of Engineering that give additional knowledge for geoengineers:

^{CIV = Building Technology
WAT= Water and Environmental Engineering
SPT= Spatial Planning and Transportation Engineering
LC= Language Centre}

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 programmes staff (coordinator/planning officer).