Study Guide

Description

In the field of building services engineering, technology plays a crucial role in ensuring the functionality, health, and safety of the built environment. It is responsible for creating and maintaining suitable conditions in spaces, including temperature, clean air, and artificial lighting. Building services engineering ensures the safe transfer and use of water and electrical energy required for operations. An increasingly significant aspect of building services engineering involves the collection, transmission, and utilization of various data related to space utilization, along with the growing role of automation.

In the education of electrical building services, individuals learn to comprehensively manage the electrical systems of properties, including electrical installations, lighting, electric heating, small-scale electricity generation, communication and information transfer systems, building automation, and alarm systems. A particular emphasis is placed on modern control and monitoring solutions for properties.

Occupations in the building services engineering sector involve several responsibilities and competency requirements based on regulations. Various laws and official regulations impose safety, functionality, and energy efficiency requirements on systems. Many of these requirements stem from EU directives and international standards. Understanding, adhering to, and applying the key requirements of regulations, as well as staying informed about ongoing changes in the field, form the foundation of working in building services engineering.

Building services engineering is a vital component of energy usage in buildings and the implementation of new energy solutions. Wise energy consumption and the environmental impact of buildings are central themes in the field. Building services engineers must comprehend the current and future needs of building users and find appropriate and effective solutions.

In building services engineering, digitalization is evident in the transformation of design practices through the use of information models and the increasing prevalence of automation and control technologies.

GRADUATES' EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENT
Expertise in building services engineering is essential in both new construction and renovation projects. There is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of building operation and maintenance. Graduates find employment as building services engineers, supervisors, or specialists in construction projects, in leadership roles in contracting, in equipment manufacturing and sales, in monitoring and regulatory positions, and in property maintenance tasks. Professionals in this field can specialize in a specific area or become broad-ranging experts. Employment opportunities can be found in both small and large companies, or individuals may choose to become entrepreneurs.

CURRICULUM STRUCTURE AND DEVELOPED SKILLS
In the education of electrical building services, students learn to comprehensively manage various electrical systems in buildings, including electrical installations, lighting, electric heating, small-scale electricity generation, communication and information transfer systems, building automation, and alarm systems. The curriculum meets the training requirements for all electrical competencies defined by the electrical safety law. Common studies with HVAC engineering education focus on creating holistic technical solutions that are energy-efficient, safe, healthy, and functional.

IMPLEMENTATION OF EDUCATION
The total scope of the studies is 240 credit points, distributed evenly over four academic years. The curriculum comprises the following study modules:

Basic Engineering Skills (8 credits)
Engineering Language and Communication Skills (11 credits)
Mathematical and Natural Sciences Competence (25 credits)
Fundamentals of Building Systems (22 credits)
Electrical Engineering Competence (22 credits)
Project Competence in Construction (19 credits)
Energy and Life Cycle Competence (10 credits)
Building Automation Solutions (15 credits)
Information Technology Systems in Buildings (10 credits)
Advanced Competence in Electrical Building Services (13 credits)
Commissioning and Maintenance of Building Systems (10 credits)
Internship (30 credits)
Optional Professional Studies (15 credits)
Free-Choice Studies (15 credits)
Bachelor's Thesis (15 credits)

Throughout all study years, the studies in HVAC engineering and electrical building services engineering are closely interconnected, supporting collaboration and holistic solutions. In project studies that enhance employability, students collaborate with other programs, such as architectural engineering and construction engineering. The degree includes 15 credits of optional professional studies, allowing students to supplement their skills by completing professional studies from other programs. Additionally, the degree includes 15 credits of elective courses, where students can freely choose high-level courses based on their interests and skill needs. These optional and elective courses can be completed at any stage of the studies. The curriculum's course schedule is designed so that, excluding the thesis, all HVAC engineering studies are completed after 3.5 years. This provides an opportunity for accelerated students to graduate early and offers flexibility in the final spring to choose optional and elective courses that best complement their educational path.

Curriculum development and working life cooperation

The curriculum is based on extensive development work in the field of electrical building services engineering, initiated in 2009 with the launch of the new building services engineering program. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with industry partners and other stakeholders. The goal of the education is to equip students with competence that addresses future challenges, emphasizing the mastery of complex systems, collaboration, and the environmental impact of solutions.

Anticipating new business opportunities in the growing significance of the field in construction, the curriculum prepares professionals for additional tasks related to sustainable development goals and regulations governing the energy efficiency of buildings. With the aging population, there is a need to construct, renovate, and develop living and working environments that provide safe and healthy conditions for all users.

The updated curriculum, informed by experiences and a comprehensive skills needs assessment conducted in 2023, reflects changes to ensure that the education meets the rapidly evolving skill requirements of the field. A significant structural change at Tamk allows for a more diverse range of professional studies in other engineering disciplines as part of the degree program.

Further information

The Electrical Building Services Engineering program is an independent degree program operating under the responsibility of electrical and automation engineering education. After graduation, students have the opportunity to pursue further studies, either in a master's degree programme in applied sciences (UAS) degree program after gaining sufficient work experience or directly in master's level studies at universities.