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Studies

The degree programme in transportation and environmental engineering educates high level experts on development of infrastructure, environment and networks. The work tasks can vary from a single building project to municipal, national, and global problems. The education offers skills for development of communities and cooperation with other experts. Experts in this area are needed in building and design firms, municipalities, and governmental ministries, offices and state-owned companies.

Majors

Geoengineering  

Geoengineering consists of construction related to both ground (soil mechanics and foundation engineering) and rock (rock construction). Geoengineering covers both theoretical soil and rock mechanics, practical construction of ground, rock and foundation engineering and engineering geology.

Main subjects in education and research of soil mechanics and foundation engineering are different geotechnical research, design and construction assignments related to mechanical features of ground, foundation and ground improvement methods, frost and road geotechnics. Fundamental geotechnical competence is a good basis for all construction engineers.

Engineering Geology is the application of the geology and geophysics to engineering practice. The research focuses on geologic factors affecting the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of engineering works. Geological and geophysical studies are also used in preparatory surveys for land-use planning. Engineering Geology studies the physical, mechanical and chemical behaviour of geological materials aiming to identify and interpret geological events and processes in terms of the site specific project requirements.

Transportation and Highway Engineering

Movement is essential for people and for activities of the society. Development of transportation means has made it possible to move people and goods faster and further than before. To produce engineers who are creative, multi-skilled and have a comprehensive way of thinking, is the main objective in the teaching of transportation and highway engineering. The job market situation in the field of transportation and highway engineering is excellent now and also in the future.

The major of transportation and highway engineering educates skilful Masters of Science in Technology for domestic and international planning, research and expert tasks in consulting firms and building companies of the private sector as well in public and municipal authorities.

Teaching and research covers the entire transportation system and transport in itself as well as the technical and economical evaluation of the planning, design and implementation of transportation infrastructure. Study areas are among others characteristics of traffic flow, traffic studies, vehicle and non-motorized transport, public transport, freight transport, traffic safety and environmental  problems, traffic forecasts and demand models, transport economics, geometric and structural design and implementation of roads and streets, and road surface materials.

Water and Environmental Engineering

Water is essential for life. The wealth of a society is usually linked to its ability to provide safe drinking water and its effectiveness to clean the produced wastes and polluted environment. Unfortunately water is not equally distributed. There is often too much or too little water available, or it may be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Often it is not safe enough to be consumed. How to manage unequal resources sustainably, treat and supply water, prevent the environment from deteriorating are the three major issues studied in water and environmental engineering.

The Water and Environmental Engineering major at the Helsinki University of Technology includes studies in water resources management, water and wastewater treatment, and waste management. The studies are a combination of natural sciences, technology and social sciences. The courses cover both local and global aspects of these topics.

The research areas include, for instance; domestic water and wastewater treatment, water supply networks, global changes and water resources, ecohydraulics and urban hydrology. Graduates from the Water and Environmental Engineering major are typically employed by the environmental administration, municipalities, water companies or consultancies in the environmental technology field.

European Mining Course

The European Mining Course (EMC) is an international Master’s programme which is taught in English and takes place in four European universities. EMC is a part of Erasmus Mundus Minerals and Environmental Programme (EMMEP). Wide-ranging studies involve the entire life span of a mine from the feasibility assessments to production and to mine closure. Also the environmental and legal aspects are considered. 
The participating EMC students spend half a semester in Aachen, Delft, Exeter and Helsinki respectively. After that they will be doing their thesis work at one of these universities. 
Link to EMMEP 

Bachelor's degree reform

The new Bachelor's degree programme will be introduced in the School of Engineering in autumn 2013. There will be three majors in the new bachelor programme. More information about the reform from http://www.aalto.fi/en/studies/.