Study Guide

Learning outcomes

Student
- is able to describe the different characteristics of a sustainable society and learns to search for and critically evaluate related professional and scientific source material
- gets acquainted with the research and development methods applied in the subject area and practices their use
- understands the requirements of the content required for the thesis and prepares the research plan of the thesis

Implementation and methods of teaching

Lectures, courseworks and seminars according to a separate program.

Timing and attendance

Implementation during the autumn semester from September to early December at separate times to be announced, generally on Fridays.

Learning material and recommended literature

Available in Moodle.

Alternative completion methods

No alternative performances.

Working life cooperation

The course contains assignments connected with working life based projects and competences.

Learning environment

Learning environment contains Moodle and online lectures.

Student time use and work load

The time and load of the course is 5 x 27 hours of which about 80% is independent work.

Contents

The course introduces current research and development work in the field in Finland and internationally. In addition, different types of research methods in the built environment and key concepts are introduced. The students are introduced the theses carried out in Urban Sustainability program and the projects are evaluated critically. The student acquires the ability to search for and use source material related to his or her thesis topic. A preliminary research plan of the thesis is prepared.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No preliminary competencies required.

Assessment criteria

Courseworks and presentations need to be acceptable.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

Assignments don´t fulfill the criteria of the course.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student
- identifies the principles related to the preparation of the thesis
- is able to present a supervised research plan for the thesis
- is able to use source materials and research methods with the assistance of supervision
- is able to use professional source material
- is able to utilize the key principles of scientific writing with the assistance of supervision

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student
- is able to identify and present the principles related to the preparation of a thesis
- is able to prepare a feasible research plan for the thesis
- is able to evaluate to some extent source materials and research methods
- is able to use scientific and professional source material
- is able to make partial use of the key principles of scientific writing

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Student
- is able to critically identify and present the principles related to the preparation of a thesis
- is able to draw up an independent and feasible research plan for the thesis
- is able to critically evaluate possible source materials and research methods
- is able to successfully use international and scientific as well as professional source materials
- masters the basic principles of scientific writing