Study Plan for Master of Science in Sustainable Transport and Urban Mobility (2021–2023)

What do you learn?

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

• have good knowledge about sustainable transport and urban mobility, and to discuss it up against UN’s 17 sustainable development goals. (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/).
• have specialized knowledge about the relationship between urban or longer transport modes and the transition toward a more sustainable transport system (urban or long - depends on students’ choice of specialization).
• have specialized knowledge about different types of policy, regulatory and economic factors affecting an efficient transport system
• have advanced knowledge of scientific theories and methods relevant to sustainable transport and urban mobility, including a broad knowledge about models and methods in general, and their use in transport in particular.

Skills
• be able to use advanced theory and methods to identify inefficiencies in the transport system.
• be able to propose improvements to organizational structures and governance to facilitate effective policy making and suggest ways of implementing such changes in the transport sector.
• be able to understand the specific challenges connected to sustainable transport and urban mobility.
• be able to critically assess evidence, including quantitative evidence and model outputs, in the sustainable transport field, in order to inform decision making.
• be capable of performing a supervised research project within the transport field, in line with ruling academic standards.

General Competence
• be able to present and communicate professional issues relevant to sustainable transport and urban mobility.
• be able to take part in innovation activities within the field
• be able to work on a project-basis in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• be able to work with a wide range of actors, including politicians, NGOs and interested citizens, as well as thoseprofessionally involved in sustainable transport.
• be able to apply acquired knowledge and skills within new areas of research and education.
• be able to read scientific papers and other scientific work from a critical standpoint.

A wide range of lecturing and study methods are used within the modules. They are usually run over one semester with lectures once or twice per week. In some cases, courses consist of intensive lecturing in one or two weeks during a semester, and more regular lectures once a week in other parts of the semester. Students have homework in terms of exercises, computer lab work, problem-based research tasks, and case studies and assignments, both individually and in groups. The seminars in the third semester are intensive courses lasting for one week consisting of lectures, homework, discussions and student presentations. Students enrolled in the programme are expected to have at least a workload of 40 hours per week. The programme is not currently offered for distance learning.

Structure and content

Programme content

The study programme focuses on analysis, challenges and problem solving in transport and provides a thorough understanding of the complexity and structure of different transport systems. In addition to providing a solid, transport-related platform, the study program allows students to choose between two directions; urban transport and long-distance transport, where both passenger and freight transport are dealt with. The structure of the study also covers topics related to logistics, such as networks and operational issues. The subject area has a scientific approach, based on areas such as economics, engineering, IT, social sciences and quantitative methods such as operations analysis and statistics. The programme is open to international students and all teaching takes place in English.

Content and structure of the programme

The study program focuses on analysis, challenges and problem solving in transport and provides a thorough understanding of the complexity and structure of different transport systems. In addition to providing a solid, transport-related platform, the study program allows students to choose between two directions; urban transport and long-distance transport, where both passenger and freight transport are dealt with. The structure of the study also covers topics related to logistics, such as networks and operational issues. The subject area has a scientific approach, based on areas such as economics, engineering, IT, social sciences and quantitative methods such as operations analysis and statistics. The program is open to international students and all teaching takes place in English.

Organisation and learning

Content and structure of the programme

The study programme have only compulsory courses in the first semester.

The second semester there are two main study options:

• Urban Transport, including public passenger transport, new micromobility modes such as scooters, and transport economics and policy.

• Long Distance Transport, including transport of both people and goods. 

In the third semester, to develop specialist skills and knowledge, you choose in-depth seminar courses, from a range of thirty, taught by experts from all over the world.

During this semester, the students should also find a topic for their master's thesis, and write a proposal for this. Here the students should indicate the topic, research methods and methodologies that can be relevant, some preliminary overview of previous research, and literature within the chosen topic. The proposal will be presented orally.

In the fourth semester the students are working on their master's thesis. Presentation and examination/ defense of the thesis will take place in June.

All lectures and exams will take place in Molde.

A wide range of lecturing and study methods are used within the modules. They are usually run over one semester with lectures once or twice per week. In some cases, courses consist of intensive lecturing in one or two weeks during a semester, and more regular lectures once a week in other parts of the semester. Students have homework in terms of exercises, computer lab work, problem-based research tasks, and case studies and assignments, both individually and in groups. The seminars in the third semester are intensive courses lasting for one week consisting of lectures, homework, discussions and student presentations. Students enrolled in the programme are expected to have at least a workload of 40 hours per week. The programme is not offered for distance learning.

Required study progression

An achievement of at least 75% of nominal study progression during an academic year is required in order to maintain the place in the study programme.

Evaluation of the study

Student assessment is made on basis of monitored exams, essays, written case study reports and oral presentations.

Studies abroad

The programme offers students the possibility to go on exchange in the second semester. They can also write the master thesis at a university abroad. This gives international students the opportunity to work on master projects related to their home country. Students interested in doing so should contact the program coordinator early in their studies.