Master's Degree Programme in Transport and Urban Planning Programme description

The Master's Degree Program in Transport and Urban Planning (TUP) is a full-time course of study over two years with 120 ECTS that is given in English. The program represents a continuation and specialization in relation to the bachelor's degree program in Civil Engineering, under the technical planning course option. This program offers a practical and profession-oriented specialization, extending a bachelor’s in civil engineering in the study field of integrated urban and transport planning, geographical planning, technology or landscape architecture.

In line with expectations from the industry, the program is planned to be cross disciplinary from the start, with a unique focus also on IT, digital tools and skills commonly used and highly needed in the industry, especially tools and skills related to urban and transport analytics and planning, geographical information systems (GIS) and data science.

Society and authorities place increasing demands on environmentally friendly, innovative and sustainable design of mobility and urban solutions. Climate change in the form of increased temperatures, more precipitation and extreme weather exposes constructions, infrastructure and networks to greater and less predictable stressors. Industry and researchers highlight the need of candidates with expertise at master's degree level (engineers) in the fields of smart mobility and urban analytics who have knowledge in environmental issues relating to this field as well as updated skills on new technology.

This study program offers a combination of expert and interdisciplinary knowledge where the students will achieve a high level of proficiency in sustainable urban development as well as achieving strong digital skills and knowledge. Interdisciplinary studies involve the combination of two or more academic disciplines into one activity. The interdisciplinary nature of this program has two major aspects according to the academic professionals developing this program at the faculty. The first related to the knowledge developed in urban planning and design, urban transport and mobility, as well as ethics and sustainability in this field. The second being digital competence, new technologies and tools, like simulation tools AIMSUN or SUMO, or data analysis software Python, R or Weka, or geographical information systems such as ArcGIS or QGIS.

In-depth areas in this master program will be:

Space Syntax (20 ECTS) which will provide in-depth knowledge of how complex architectural and urban systems work, and how spaces can be planned, designed and manufactured to create a better society bringing together the fields of architecture and urbanism. Space Syntax is a theoretical and analytical framework, as well as a modeling tool to design and analyze the human-built environment. Students will investigate spatial morphology and its social implications by a practical, hands-on program of lectures, workshops and a project.

Urban Mobility (20 ECTS) which will provide in-depth knowledge in land use and transportation planning for smart and sustainable cities that meet the needs of all residents. Students will learn how to experiment and test hypotheses and think strategically about multi-modal transport systems, the movement of people and goods, and intelligent transport systems in urban areas. Students will grow their expertise joining a session of lectures, workshops and through work on projects.

The goal with this program is to educate and train candidates who are qualified to address the challenges of both professional life and scholarly enquiry within their specialization as well as being a productive member of interdisciplinary teams.

Graduates from this program will:

understand the role of their specialization in organizations and society

possess deep technical skills from their own specialization that can be applied in a variety of real-life scenarios

understand how their specialization is part of a wider fabric of skills necessary to solve tomorrow's challenges

have a professional and ethical attitude towards their role in the workplace

display creative thinking in real-life situations, leaning both on theoretical knowledge and on pragmatism

plan and execute their work in a structured and independent manner, be it as professionals or as researchers in their field

have expertise that is in high demand in both the private and public sector. The most relevant employers are advisory engineering firms, municipalities or other public agencies, private companies within transport and urban planning industry and research institutes

qualify students for further studies at the doctoral degree level.

More specifically, the graduates will:

Be able to identify needs in the smart society. This particularly means that the students are trained to plan for mobilities and accessibility to/from services, jobs and amenities that are more fluent in times when tele-commuting and online consumption has increased.

Be aware of and sensitive to, and responsive when planning and suggesting policy measures to handle vulnerabilities. Pandemics, 100-year-storms, and similar have proven to be more than fiction. Planning for a resilient society includes planning for alternative transport solutions, and prioritization of lines, roads, and services in case of emergency.

Be able to integrate sustainability in plans, execution, evaluation and circularity of societal development.

Be equipped with tools and methods for planning and implementing integrative urban landscapes. With specific focus on planning for equal opportunities in urban areas where new technologies for participation in and communication with citizens may be used to different extent due to language barriers, age, trust, etc

After completing the education, the student will be especially suitable for:

Employments in urban, regional and transport planning departments in municipalities and public organizations

Jobs in firms and agencies developing stakeholder strategies, meta-data description and tech-mediation between smart-city developers and users

Consultancy firms developing strategies for smart city developments

Creation and analysis of geo-coded data, including statistical analyses

Research and evaluation work

Students who complete the master's degree program will be awarded the degree of Master of Science (MSc) in Transport and Urban Planning.

The master’s degree program is aimed at candidates who want a solid professional and academic supplement to their education in Transport and Urban Planning, and that holds a three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of these fields: Architecture, Demography, Economic history, Economics, Engineering, Geography, Geoinformatics, Geology, Human geography,Informatics, Landscape Architecture, Political science, Psychology, Physical geography, Sociology, Statistics, Tourism science & Urban planning.

Please refer to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet, https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2015-12-15-1681, which is our basis for these admission requirements.

To apply for this programme you must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in one of these fields:

• Architecture
• Demography
• Economic history
• Economics
• Engineering
• Geography
• Geoinformatics
• Geology
• Human geography
• Informatics
• Landscape Architecture
• Political science
• Psychology
• Physical geography
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Tourism science
• Urban planning

You also need

• an average grade of at least C (according to the ECTS grading scale) on your bachelor's degree
• proof of your English proficiency

More about admission to master's programmes.

Proof of your English proficiency https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/admission/english-proficiencyrequirements-masters

It is recommended to have programming skills.

Applicant groups and ranking

In line with Section 15 Quotas, paragraph 3 of the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education regarding master’s degree programs taught in English, this master program will reserve a minimum of 30% of the places to Norwegian applicants. https://student.oslomet.no/en/regulations-admission-studies-oslomet

Energieffektivisering av bygninger er et av de mest kostnadseffektive tiltak for å begrense menneskeskapt klimaendring. Passivhus-nivå har blitt standard, og det bygges flere nær-nullenergi- og pluss-hus ettersom løsninger for lokal energiforsyning (bl.a. solenergi) blir mer lønnsomme. Samtidig skjer en rivende utvikling innen digital teknologi (bl.a. simuleringsverktøy og byggautomasjon), nye byggematerialer, og nye løsninger for tekniske installasjoner, som åpner for nye muligheter. Parallelt med dette lærer vi mer fra forskning innen betydningen av inneklima for helse. Alle disse forhold gjør at byggenæringen er i rask endring, og at det stilles stadig høyere krav til de som utformer og forvalter det bygde miljø.

For å møte dagens og fremtidens utfordringer, gir masterstudiet i Energi og miljø i bygg dyptgående ingeniørfaglig kompetanse innen klimatisering (behovsstyrt varme, kjøling, ventilasjon, belysning, m.m.), energiforvaltning, og menneskelige behov (innemiljø, sanitærforhold), kombinert med kunnskap innen et bredt spektrum av temaer inkludert bygningsfysikk, numerikk, økonomi, miljøvurdering av bærekraftige løsninger, og klimatilpasning.

Masterstudiet energi og miljø i bygg kan tas som et heltidsstudium over to år eller et deltidsstudium over fire år, evt. tre år. Det søkes enten til heltids- eller deltidsstudiet. Studiet er på 120 studiepoeng og gir en fordypning og videreføring i forhold til relevante bachelorstudier.

Masterstudiet er tilrettelagt internasjonalisering i og med at deler kan gjennomføres internasjonalt ved samarbeid med utenlandsk utdanningssted.

Studiet bidrar til å løse næringens kompetansebehov og dette gjenspeiles i undervisningen. Næringslivssamarbeid vektlegges ved planlegging, gjennomføring og evaluering av studieaktiviteter.

Studiet retter seg mot søkere med minimum 3-årig utdanning/bachelorgrad fra universitet eller høgskole med relevant emnekrets for dette studiet. Masterstudiet egner seg spesielt godt for ingeniører med bakgrunn fra fagområder innen energi og miljø, bygg, maskin og elektro med ønske om spesialisering innen energi- og miljøproblematikk i bygg. Det vil være en fordel med basiskunnskaper i termodynamikk, strømningsteknikk og anvendt matematikk.

Studiet kvalifiserer for

• stillinger som krever kunnskap om hvordan byggets energibruk kan optimaliseres ved reguleringsteknikk og automasjon i bygg
• stillinger som krever kunnskap innen bygningsfysikk og bygningsdesign for å kunne gjøre helhetlige analyser og vurderinger for optimal energiomsetning
• stillinger innen forskning, utviklingsarbeid og analyser innen energi og miljø i bygg
• studiet kan bidra til kvalifikasjon som RIV (Rådgivende ingeniør varme-, ventilasjons- og sanitærteknikk)
• opptak til doktorgradsstudier innen byggrelaterte fagområder

Masterstudiet er også relevant videreutdanning for yrkesaktive ingeniører ansatt hos f.eks. RI, entreprenør, bygg- eller energiforvaltere samt leverandører innen tekniske installasjoner (varme, kjøling, ventilasjon og sanitærteknikk) og som har behov for økt kunnskap.

Deltidsstudiet følger samme emner og samme undervisning som heltids-studiet, og foregår derfor på dagtid, men er opprettet med tanke på de som er i arbeid og som ønsker å utvide sine faglige kvalifikasjoner.

The work and teaching methods in the program includes group work, cross disciplinary projects, lectures, exercise sessions including digital labs, presentations, field work and discussions. The students will be involved in peer feedback which will be part of the learning process. The scheduled study activities shall be motivating and inspiring for the students and induce nonorganized academic work. The work methods are intended to stimulate cooperation, individual activity, reflection and fresh thinking. Contact with business and industry through external lecturers and projects in addition to ordinary tuition is intended to give the students a relevant and motivational approach throughout the study program.

To work as an expert researcher in urban or mobility design and planning requires a high level of expertise in the use of advanced computer programs and simulation tools (ICT tools) for problem-solving. Computer exercises and tasks that require the use of advanced ICT tools are therefore one of the main work methods used in the study program.

Research and teaching are also integrated throughout the study program. The teaching is to be constantly updated to encompass new knowledge, and research articles are part of the syllabus. Furthermore, the students will participate in research-related discussions and be included in ongoing research and development through projects that are part of the study program.

Project-based learning relating to urban and mobility design and planning tasks is used to give the students practice in work on complex issues. The study program will prepare the students for work methods used in the industry, through group work and project assignments in cooperation with partner companies in the industry. The projects are intended to develop the students’ ability to formulate and analyze research questions using scientific methods. Projects are normally carried out in groups, and the students will also thereby develop their ability to listen to others, exchange knowledge and discuss solutions in cooperation with others. Project work shall culminate in reports written on the basis of a template for scholarly articles/reports.

The master's thesis shall take the form of independent, supervised research or development work in one of the key subject areas of the study program.

The master's thesis must follow at least one scientific approach, and the result must contain elements of new knowledge or new methods. Each student or group of students will be assigned an internal supervisor who will ensure that the project complies with research ethics principles and help students to formulate the research question and ensure quality in the collection and analysis of data. The master's thesis shall be a written report based on research principles and methods.

Both the language of instruction and the course literature are in English, making the study program well-suited for international students and student mobility. The study program is structured so that it is possible for the students to take one semester abroad, in the third or fourth semester. These will also be the semesters for exchange students from abroad to join the master program at OsloMet for one semester.

Internationalization in this master program is four-fold by taking an approach from different angles. This master’s program educates and prepare students for an international competitive job market with (1) language of instruction in English to equip the future graduates to work in practice and academia world-wide with (2) international state-of-the-art knowledge in the field of mobility with digital skills and urban analytical techniques and tools, (3) using comparative Norwegian and international case studies in courses and (4) the program is taught by national and international trained instructors including English native speakers and academics who have long-standing experience in lecturing in English.

With student mobility, students have the opportunity to gain experience abroad at a foreign academic institution which will offer complementary courses being very relevant for the students at the master program in Transport and Urban Planning, and the courses OsloMet will offer on the master program in Transport and Urban Planning will be of interest to students attending these selected universities.

OsloMet is part of the Erasmus program for student exchange and has entered into several Erasmus+ agreements with relevant universities and university colleges.

Students can gain approval and recognition of up to 30 credits on application.

OsloMet has a dedicated web page with supplementary information about student exchanges: https://www.oslomet.no/en/study/exchange-students

Requirements:

An average grade C or better in previously completed courses. An exchange agreement with the desired university or college must be in place before the student can apply. Acceptance from a receiving institution to an exchange-stay with the necessary academic relevance.

Application deadline: One semester prior to the planned stay.

Fagområde

Studiet imøtekommer krav om økt forståelse og kunnskap om inneklima, energioptimalisering og energiteknologi i bygg.

Studiet vektlegger kunnskaper om friske bygg og godt inneklima. Dette inkluderer kunnskap om ventilasjon, klimatisering og sanitasjon, varme- og fukttransport. Masterstudiet energi og miljø i bygg tar sikte på å utdanne kandidater med kompetanse til å kunne lede fremtidige utviklingsarbeid, utføre analyser samt å kunne delta i forskningsarbeid innen fagfeltet. Studentene vil også lære hva som tilfredsstiller krav til godt innemiljø med hensyn til funksjonalitet og estetikk, og få kunnskap innen bygningsfysikk og bygningsdesign.

Studiet vil fremme avanserte kunnskaper, praktisk kompetanse og evnen til kritisk analyse innen fagets kjerneområder. Undervisningen tar sikte på å forberede studentene for forskning og utvikling innen energi og miljø ved at det legges vekt på naturfaglige metoder (matematisk og statistisk metoder), planlegging og gjennomføring av forsøk inkludert anvendelse av instrumenter. Videre forberedes studentene for næringslivets samarbeidsformer med teamarbeid og statusmøter, rapportskriving og for vitenskapelig publisering og kritisk analyse av litteratur innen området.

Oppbygging

Deltidsstudenter har de samme emner og følger den samme undervisning som heltidsstudenter. Det er totalt 120 studiepoeng fordelt på fire semester for heltidsstudenten og åtte semester for deltidsstudenten. Hele siste semester er viet masteroppgaven på 30 studiepoeng. Studenter i relevant arbeid vil kunne ta masteroppgaven som del av sin arbeidshverdag.

De obligatoriske emnene i heltidsstudiets innledende fase er MAEN4100 Termodynamikk, varme- og massetransport (10 sp), MAEN4200 Energibruk og inneklima (10 sp) og MAEN4300 Strømningsteknikk og numeriske beregninger (10 sp). Disse emnene utgjør studiets plattform, gir kompetanse om numeriske beregninger og forståelse for fysiske prosesser og bidrar til å gi en sammenheng mellom de teoretiske og tekniske fagområdene.

Heltidsstudiets andre semester er mer profesjonsrettet med emnene MAEN4500 Varme- og kjøleteknikk (10 sp) og MAEN4600 Ventilasjonsteknikk (10 sp). Emnet MAEN4200 Energibruk og inneklima fra første semester ligger til grunn for forståelsen av disse emner som igjen legger grunnlaget for forståelsen av MAEN/MAEND5100 Sanitasjon (10 sp) i heltidsstudiets tredje semester. Sammen med emnet MAEN5200 Energidesign og bygningsfysikk (10 sp) i heltidsstudiets tredje semester, sikrer de ovennevnte emnene den fagspesifikke breddekompetansen i masterstudiet energi og miljø i bygg, som er nødvendig for studiets selvstendige arbeid. MAEN5200 Energidesign og bygningsfysikk ligger i siste semester før masteroppgaven på grunn av strenge forkunnskapskrav.

Det siste obligatoriske emnet er MAEN5300 Forskningsmetoder og etikk (5 sp). Dette emnet vil tjene som et forprosjekt til masteroppgaven med en innføring i vitenskapelige problemstillinger og forskningsmetoder, etiske holdninger og formidling av resultater. Også dette emnet er plassert i siste semester før masteroppgaven for begge mastere.

I deltidsmasteren er det tilstrebet å få den samme faglige oppbyggingen som for heltid. MAEND4100 Termodynamikk, varme- og massetransport (10 sp), MAEND4200 Energibruk og inneklima (10 sp) og MAEND4300 Strømningsteknikk og numeriske beregninger (10 sp) er samlet i første semester i heltidsmasteren, fordelt på første og tredje semester i deltidsmasteren.

Emnet MAEN4400 Byggautomasjon (10 sp) ligger i heltidsstudiets andre semester, men utgjør ikke et grunnlag for påfølgende emner i samme grad som de forannevnte, og MAEND4400 Byggautomasjon (10 sp) er derfor plassert i deltidsstudiets sjette semester. MAEND5200 Energidesign og bygningsfysikk og MAEND5300 Forskningsmetoder og etikk (5 sp) er for begge mastere plassert i siste semester før masteroppgaven.

Nedenfor er oppbygging av heltidsmaster to år. Emnene undervises en gang per studieår. Masteroppgaven ligger for alle varianter i vårsemester i studiets siste år.

Den obligatoriske delen på totalt 85 studiepoeng gir kunnskap og ferdigheter alle studenter med mastergrad i energi og miljø i bygg bør ha. Masteroppgaven utgjør en fordypning. Undervisningen i de obligatoriske emnene gir et teoretisk fundament for studentenes individuelle arbeid og sikrer faglig bredde. Undervisningen gir også fordypning i emner som termodynamikk og strømningsteknikk, noe som gir studentene kunnskap og forståelse om matematiske analyser og simuleringsverktøy. Emnene gir et solid grunnlag for analyse og beregning av bygningers energibruk, design av klimatekniske anlegg og en helhetlig konsekvensanalyse av miljøet. I undervisningen inngår anvendelse og analyser av vitenskapelige artikler samt opplæring i vitenskapelige metoder, som er ingeniørfaglig relevant på masternivå og som anvendes på problemstillinger i prosjektarbeid.

Valgemner

Valgemner kan gi bredde eller dybde i utdanningen. Studentene skal ta ett valgfritt emne på 5 stp i 3. semester (se nedenfor.) Igangsetting av valgemner krever et tilstrekkelig antall interesserte studenter. Dersom en student vil velge valgemner fra andre studieprogram/institusjoner skal dette godkjennes av studieprogrammet. Fakultetet kan ikke garantere for at alle valgemner og kombinasjoner fra andre studier er mulig da emner kan ha samme undervisningstid og eksamensdag.

3. semester:

MAEN5010 Fornybar energi (5 stp)

MABY4700 Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings (5 stp)

Provisions governing assessment and grading are laid down in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. Please refer to https://student.oslomet.no./

The forms of assessment used shall promote learning and document that the students’ competence is adequate in relation to the applicable learning outcome. Assessment methods vary between courses. They include written reports (individual and group reports), oral presentations, portfolio assessments and oral examinations. There will be no written school exam on this master program as the pedagogical approach is to have assessments similar to evaluation methods used when working in a company. The forms of assessment and grade scale are described in more detail in the individual course descriptions. In connection with the final assessment in the course, a grade scale with grades from A to E for pass (A being the highest) and F for fail is used.

A portfolio assessment provides an overall assessment awarding one grade for the whole portfolio. Each student's work will be assessed together as a portfolio with one individual grade at the end of the semester, but all parts that make up the portfolio must be assessed as 'pass' in order for the student to pass the course. The overall assessment can be appealed. Students may only appeal against the determination of the examination grade awarded for the whole portfolio. Any information on weighting of grades must be considered as supplementary information in connection with the final grade.

The tuition takes place in English, and assignments will also be in English. Students may, by agreement with the person responsible for the course, submit assignments in Norwegian. The assignment given in the elective course (specialization course) in the third semester and the master's thesis should be in English.

If the examination in a course consists of more than one part, all parts of the examination must be passed in order to pass the course.

Normally each course has one or two internal examiners to assess students' work. On a regularly basis one or some of the courses will be chosen to include an external examiner, thus the students' work will be assessed by one external and one internal examiner.

Oral exams shall be assessed by two examiners, as this form of assessment cannot be appealed.

The master’s thesis will be assessed by an external and an internal examiner. In addition to submitting a written report, students must also give an oral presentation of the thesis to the external examiner and supervisor(s). The examiners will set the grade for the master’s thesis after the oral presentation and questioning. Students can appeal against the grade awarded for the written thesis in accordance with Section 5-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges. If the grade is changed as a result of re-assessment, the student must take the oral exam again. The oral exam grade cannot be appealed

The master’s degree program is profession-oriented, which means that students are to a significant extent assessed on the basis of their ability to solve problems, and on whether their presentations of solutions meet technical, academic and ethical requirements. Project assignments with reports and presentations are therefore one of the dominant assessment forms used in the study program. Guildeline for master's theses at the Faculty can be found here: Retningslinjer for masteroppgaver ved Fakultet for teknologi, kunst og design - Student - minside (oslomet.no)

Students have the right to demand an explanation for and to appeal against a grade awarded and/or formal errors in connection with exams in accordance with Section 5-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

After completing the program, students will be awarded a diploma showing all their final grades (final assessments) in the courses that form the basis for the degree. The title of the master’s thesis will also be included on the diploma.

Quality assurance

The purpose of OsloMet's quality assurance system is to strengthen students' learning outcomes and development by raising the quality at all levels. Cooperation with the students, and their participation in the quality assurance work, is decisive to the overall learning outcome. Among the overall goals for the quality assurance system is to ensure:

• that the educational activities, including practical training and the learning and study environment, maintain a high level of quality
• that the study programs are relevant for the professional fields
• that the quality development continues to improve

For the students, this entails, among other things, student evaluations in the form of:

course evaluations

annual student surveys for all of OsloMet

More information about the quality assurance system is available here: https://student.oslomet.no/en/acts-regulation#etablering-studium-evaluering-kvalitetssystem

Program supervisor scheme

The program supervisor scheme is part of the quality assurance of each individual study program. A program supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study program. All study program at OsloMet shall be subject to supervision by a program supervisor, but there are different ways of practicing the scheme. Reference is made to the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet: https://student.oslomet.no/en/retningslinjer-sensorer