Study Guide

Descriptions

Study objectives:

The Master's Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is part of Turku University of Applied Sciences' (TUAS) Master School. TUAS Master School brings together all TUAS' Masters' degree programmes in the fields of Business, Culture, Healthcare and Social Services, and Technology. It gives the students a great chance to create new networks with other experts beyond fields, both in Finland and globally. In the School of Leadership Excellence you study and acquire skills and competences as a business leader and manager, and in the School of Professional Excellence your focus is in developing to a specialist in the selected discipline.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology leads to the degree of Master of Engineering. The Degree Programme is a working life oriented programme targeted at Bachelors of Engineering. The programme aims to make the Bachelor of Engineering who has gained experience in working life more prepared for taking on new challenges in the ever-changing operating environment, to enhance the ability to develop in expert and supervisor tasks that require good competence and to promote critical thinking, creative problem solving, initiative as well as teamwork and networking skills.

The Master’s Degree Programme concentrates on the advancement of professional competence. Students have a chance to affect the content of their studies. Chemical engineering and biotechnology studies focus on the competence areas of chemical engineering research groups. As optional studies, students can take Master-level (EQF 7) courses offered in the other Master’s Degree Programmes of Turku University of Applied Sciences or other higher education institutions. Education in the Master of Engineering programme in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology gives a firm basis for the development of one’s work as well as the development of the work community. It also strongly supports the advancement of one’s career towards more demanding challenges.

The primary language of instruction is Finnish, but a part of the studies is implemented in English. The operating environment is international and students of the international degree programme as well as exchange students participate in the courses.

Study Contents:

The Master’s Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is carried out in cooperation with business life and other Master’s Degree Programmes in management, engineering, and technology. The pedagogic foundation of the programme is an innopeda-based continuum of learning that combines learning by doing and applied research, development, and innovation activities with the development needs of the working life.

Advanced professional studies include studies about research methods, chemical engineering, and biotechnology competence. Students may further deepen or expand their competence by choosing courses in management, sales, project operations, or research methods, for instance, as optional studies.

Structure of studies:

The extent of the degree programme of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is 60 ECTS credits. The studies can be completed within 1.5 to 2 years while working full-time and from anywhere in Finland.

The curriculum consists of
• Advanced studies (core competence) 20 cr
• Elective studies (expanding competence) 10 cr
• Master's theses 30 cr.

Advanced studies consist of methodological courses and professional courses expanding your previous studies. Active learning methods are applied. The programme is built on mixed-mode studies including lectures, seminars, e-learning, teamwork, and independent work. There are 2 days of contact sessions monthly.

With optional studies, you can expand your skills by incorporating courses from your degree programme or other programmes or other universities. Elective studies are also offered in the form of fully virtual online teaching.

Final project:

A central part of the Master's studies is the Master’s thesis. The thesis work starts already at the beginning of the studies and it is carried out as a working life oriented development project. The thesis will not only develop your knowledge and skills in a certain study field and specific topic but also gives you the possibility to enhance your skills of leading teams and workgroups.

Career opportunities:

After graduating, the student has created new knowledge and reformed the working life with the Master's thesis. The student’s network has expanded both in Finland and globally. The student has also developed his/her expertise and acquired tools to advance his/her career.

After graduating from a university of applied sciences, many professional engineers find employment in positions where the main focus is on technical competence and its development and application. As their careers proceed, some of them concentrate on technical expert tasks, while others focus on the supervisor, project management, marketing, and organizational development tasks, for instance. After graduation, work duties may include, among other things, demanding supervisor, expert, education, development, research, and product development tasks in a process, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, research institutes, or authoritative positions. The degree enables one to apply for positions that require a Master’s Degree in engineering.

Qualification:

The Master's degree in engineering is a university degree that gives the same eligibility for public positions as a Master’s degree awarded by a university.

Internationalization:

The student’s own needs and the requirements of his/her work determine how the student develops his/her international competence. An international perspective can be linked with the thesis, for example by participating in an international conference or seminar in the field. An international perspective also contributes to the development of language skills. A significant part of the source material for studies and learning assignments comes from international academic and professional sources.

Co-operation with other parties:

The Master's degree programme on Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology is planned and implemented together with the working life. The working life connection is primarily made up of the student, the student's workplace, and education. The interaction between students working in different positions plays an important role in the development of professional skills and the creation of collaborative networks.

A central part of the Master's studies is the Master’s thesis. The thesis work starts already at the beginning of the studies and it is carried out as a working life oriented development project. The thesis will not only develop your knowledge and skills in a certain study field and specific topic but also gives you the possibility to enhance your skills of leading teams and workgroups.

Research focus:

The New materials and Processes reseach group concentrates on different kinds of biomaterials and on the production and stabilisation of biomolecules. It emphasises also on development of cicular economy skills in projects with companies.

Postgraduate study opportunities:

A Master’s degree awarded by a university of applied sciences provides eligibility for further academic studies (Licentiate, Doctor) as well as for applying for professional teacher education. However, the receiving faculty always determines its own admission criteria and may require e.g. supplementary studies. Their purpose is to ensure that the student's starting level meets the requirements specified for academic research.

Development

The objectives for skill levels in a master’s degree are based on the legislation concerning universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a master’s degree is level 7. The study evaluation criteria are described in the implementation plan of each course. Criteria are varying depending in different objectives, contents and implementation models.

Further information

The objectives for skill levels in a Master’s Degree are based on the legislation concerning universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a Master’s Degree is level 7. The assessment criteria for each course are described in its implementation plan. Performance requirements vary depending on objectives, content and method of implementation.

The courses and the thesis are assessed on a scale of 0 to 5. Assessment focuses on competence and its development. The course assessment methods vary according to the objectives of the study module. Assessment may focus on the outcome (for instance, a report or a seminar presentation), on the process (the student’s own activity and actions during the course) or on both. Students receive regular feedback on their performance from their teachers. Peer- and self-assessment as well as commissioner feedback on performance are also utilized. The degree assessment framework is used as the basis for the assessment.

The Degree Programme will be developed according to the principles of continuous improvement. In the development work, feedback from the students and working life as well as their initiatives have a key role. Feedback is collected with, for instance, student questionnaires and group-specific development discussions.