MSc in Urban Systems Engineering

1. The name of the master’s degree programme: Urban Systems Engineering

2. Level of qualification obtainable in the master's programme and designation of professional qualification on the diploma

• level of qualification: master's degree (magister, master; abbreviated: MSc)
• professional qualification: Urban Systems Engineer

3. Field of study: Technical sciences

4. Degrees accepted as prerequisites for admission to master's programme

4.1. Full credit value can be considered for undergraduate programmes in Architectural Engineering, Landscape Management and Garden Construction Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

4.2. As specified in Section 9.3, the following may also be considered in undergraduate level: in the field of IT training, computer engineering; in the field of technical training, environmental engineering, technical earth sciences, transportation engineering; in the field of natural sciences, geography; earth sciences, and agricultural training: land surveying and land management engineering, Agrobusiness and Rural Development Engineering, Rural Development Engineering, Agricultural engineering.

4.3. In addition, the credits specified in Section 9.3 may be taken into account for bachelor's and master's degree programmes, as well as programmes specified in Act LXXX of 1993 on National Higher Education, which are accepted by the credit transfer committee of the higher education institution based on a comparison of the knowledge serving as the basis for determining the credits.

5. Length of the programme: 4 semesters

6. Number of credits required to obtain a master's degree: 120 credits

• Orientation of the programme: balanced (40-60 percents)
• credit value assigned to the thesis: 30 credits
• Minimum credit value for continuous practical work placements outside the institution: 5 credits
• Minimum credit value for optional subjects: 6 credits

7. Classification of fields of study according to the uniform classification system for vocational training areas: 581/0731

8. The aim of the training and professional competences of the master’s degree

The aim of the training is to train urban system engineers who can organize groups of settlements, shaping the environment of settlements, and operating infrastructure, as well as performing the tasks of technical authorities, specialized authorities, and local governments in the areas of communal, maintenance, organizational, environmental protection, and value protection. They are highly skilled in developing settlement development concepts and programmes, preparing plans, coordinating the development of settlements, settlement groups, and regions, preparing land use plans, managing and supervising such activities, and conducting scientific research in their field of expertise. They are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programmes.

8.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

8.1.1. The Urban System Engineer’s

a) knowledge

• Knows contemporary theories and practices of urban planning, as well as the interrelationships between theory and practice.
• Has a comprehensive knowledge of the architectural, technical, ecological, environmental science, sociological, economic, legal, and administrative disciplines involved in urban planning.
• Knows how to interpret and evaluate maps, blueprints, and design documentation, as well as techniques of visual expression.
• Knows the methodology and tools for preparing regional and local development programmes and urban planning designs, as well as coordinating their implementation.
• Knows complex natural and cultural environmental systems, new professional achievements and creations.
• Has knowledge of computer communication, data management and analysis.
• Knows how to use graphic systems (CAD, GIS) in territorial and regional planning.
• Is familiar with the basic principles of environmental protection, quality assurance, consumer protection, product liability, equal access, occupational health and safety, technical and economic regulations, and engineering ethics.
• Knows the widely applicable problem-solving techniques necessary for research or scientific work.
• Knows the characteristics of global social and economic processes affecting urban development and planning.

b) competencies

• Can apply and use the knowledge they've gained in practice, and use problem-solving techniques.
• Can process information about the limits of their professional experience in the field, new problems that come up, and new phenomena.
• Able to formulate accurate criticism or opinions on urban development issues, as well as draw conclusions.
• Able to independently plan and execute tasks related to urban development and construction at a high professional level.
• Able to manage technical, economic, and human resources.
• Able to perform regional development and regional planning tasks based on a systematic, process-oriented way of thinking.
• Able to apply integrated social, economic, and environmental knowledge in the fields of urban planning, regional development, and regional planning.
• Able to prepare studies, analyses, and structural and regulatory plans for the development of settlements and settlement groups with the involvement of specialist planners.
• Able to evaluate and critically analyze urban development and planning plans and, based on this, perform the duties of an urban planner, chief architect, and technical and specialized authority.
• Able to organize, coordinate, and manage the activities of a design team, recognize the interrelationships and mechanisms of settlement management systems and the processes that comprise them, and evaluate and manage them from a systems perspective.
• Able to apply procedures, models, and information technologies used in the planning, operation, and administration of settlements.

c) attitude

• Strives for advanced spatial awareness and appropriate visual expression skills.
• Strives to resolve problems arising from differing interests in urban development and to make decisions in the public interest.
• Is open to cooperation, communication, and negotiation in professional processes.
• Strives to analyze and synthesize elements related to the built environment.
• Is open to participating in projects that bring together different fields of expertise, as well as to leading and coordinating teamwork.
• Strives to enforce sustainability and energy efficiency requirements.
• Strives to perform their work in a complex manner based on a systematic and process-oriented approach.
• In their work, they examine the possibility of setting research, development, and innovation goals and strives to achieve them.
• Is open to professional training courses that impart up-to-date knowledge.

d) autonomy and responsibility

• They act independently and proactively in solving professional problems that arise during regional and urban planning tasks.
• They are responsible for sustainable and environmentally conscious urban development.
• Makes decisions related to urban development and planning, as well as construction, independently and prudently, in consultation with representatives of other fields (primarily legal, economic, energy, and environmental), and takes responsibility for them.
• They consider environmental protection, quality assurance, consumer protection, product liability, the principle and application of equal access, occupational health and safety, technical, economic and legal regulations, and compliance with the basic requirements of engineering ethics in their decisions.

9. Characteristics of the master’s training

9.1. Professional characteristics

The disciplines and fields of study that make up the programme and lead to professional qualification:

• natural sciences 5 credits;
• social sciences 5-10 credits;
• planning (spatial and regional planning, urban planning, architectural planning, urban infrastructure, urban environmental protection, urban heritage protection) 70-80 credits.

9.2. The requirements of the professional practice

Professional practice is a minimum four-week internship organized at a professional training site, the further requirements of which are specified in the curriculum. Professional practice is worth 5 credits.

9.3. Minimum requirements for admission to the master's degree programme for holders of the certificate specified in section 4.2. and 4.3.

The minimum number of credits required for admission to a master's programme different from the bachelor's programme is 80 credits in the following areas:

• 20 credits in natural sciences (mathematics, drawing, descriptive geometry, materials science, environmental science, computer science, basic engineering);
• 15 credits in economics and humanities (basic economics, social sciences, public administration and law, architectural history);
• 45 credits in professional knowledge (urban planning, geodesy, architecture, geographic information systems, road and utility systems, environmental protection).

Admission to the master's programme requires that the student have at least 50 credits based on their previous studies. Missing credits must be obtained in accordance with the study and examination regulations of the higher education institution.