UlysseusCitiesMD

Study Programme & Structure

  • YEAR 1 – The Core

  • YEAR 2 – The “Flexible semester” & the “Getting into the sector semester”

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Study Programme

S1

  • The Green block
  • The Foundations on Smart Grids block:
    – Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Production and Integration (compulsory module):

• Modern Electrical Distribution Networks
• Energy Conversion Systems in Smart Cities
• Analysis of Active Distribution Networks
• Analysis of Power Conversion Systems
• Real-Time monitoring of Smart Grids
• Optimal Operation of Smart Grids

S2

  • The Green block
  • The Smart block:
    – Optimization and Digitalization of Smart Cities (compulsory module):

• IT Infrastructure for Smart Cities
• Facility Automation Systems
• Artificial Intelligence for Smart Cities
• Digital Twins

– Mobility and transport in Smart Cities (elective module)

• Traffic Management and Transport Planning in Smart Cities
• City Logistics: Transport and Mobility
• New Autonomous Air and Ground Mobility Concepts

– Energy Efficiency and Smart Buildings (elective module):

• Passive Buildings and Physics
• Active Systems and Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) in Buildings
• Renewable Energy Systems (RES) in Buildings

S3

  • The Green Block
  • The FLEXIBLE semester:
    – The Specialization (elective module):

• Numerical cartography and GIS
• Sustainable planning
• Construction techniques, damage and deterioration of buildings
• Techniques for building rehabilitation
• Life cycle assessment and ecodesign

– The Transversal skills (elective module):

• Protecting My Ideas – Identifying, protecting and managing intellectual property as a business asset
• Real Life Simulation – Methods
• Real Life Simulation – Practice
• Entrepreneurship
• Innovation & Start Up
• Learning Culture in Organisations
• Evolving organisations
• Responsible Business and Sharing Economy
• Conscious Leader
• Achieving Sustainable Development Goals
• Futures Research Goals

S4

  • The Traineeships (compulsory module).
  • The Master thesis (compulsory module).

Year 1:

THE CORE

As the technical and technological training to be taught mainly during the first programme year, “The Core” comprises three main blocks with five modules:

  • The Green block
  • The Foundations on Smart Grids block:
    – Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Production and Integration module
  • The Smart block:
    – Optimization and Digitalization of Smart Cities module
    – Mobility and transport in Smart Cities module
    – Energy Efficiency and Smart Buildings module

The Green block

  • ECTS workload: 9
  • Semesters: 1, 2 & 3
  • Teaching: Hybrid (onsite & online)
  • Compulsory
  • Taught by experts in the fields, both from the six Ulysseus partner universities, the public or private sector, and external experts.
  • Contents: Environmental awareness, Decarbonization, Energy Policy and regulation

• Sustainable Development Goals
• Environmental awareness
• Decarbonization of Industry
• Energy Policy in Europe vs rest of the world
• Regulation, Standards and Grid codes
• Electric Market regulations
• Hydrogen technologies
• Materials in Green Technologies

The Foundations on Smart Grids block

  • Corresponding to the module Smart Grid and Renewable Energy Production and Integration
  • 27 ECTS, semester 1, compulsory
  • Content: the most relevant aspects of electrical systems supporting cities
  • This module will be offered by USE along the first semester in a hybrid format (on-site, online). Classes will be held in ETSI Sevilla (Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería), Camino de los Descubrimientos, 41092 Seville
  • Taught by experts in the fields mainly from University of Seville (Spain) and Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), with the participation of teachers/trainers from Université Côte d’Azur (France) and MCI | The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria), as well as associated partners and external experts.


Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Contents:
    • Urban and rural AC distribution networks (0,8 ECTS):

o Medium voltage (MV) grids: : layout, primary substations, secondary substations, overhead and underground lines, grounding systems, etc
o Low voltage (LV) grids: layouts, overhead and underground lines, grounding systems, etc
o Protection system for MV and LV smart grids
o Conventional control devices: on load tap changers transformers, voltage regulators, capacitors
o Regulatory issues

• The electric mobility as the key role for efficient transportation (0,8 ECTS)

o Technology of electric vehicle (EV)
o Technology of electric train and tram
o Charging stations for electric vehicles
o Traction substations
o Regulatory issues

• Energy production and storage technologies (0,6 ECTS):

o PV generation
o Wind generation
o Cogeneration
o Storage technologies

• Active and passive consumers (0,6 ECTS):

o Residential, commercial, and industrial passive consumers
o Prosumers: management of EV charging, renewable generation, and flexible demand
o Local energy communities
o Regulatory issues

• Impact of distributed resources on the smart grid (0,5 ECTS):

o Effect of renewable generation
o Effect of electric vehicle charging
o Energy storage, prosumers and energy communities as flexibility providers

Practical classes:

• Visit to primary and secondary substations, EV charging station, PV plant, batteries. (0,55 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Solar PV system integration (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Illustrating LV and MV distribution network with passive consumers (0,15 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Illustrating Effect of generation in distribution networks (0,15 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Illustrating Flexibility providers for decarbonized smart grids (0,15 ECTS)

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Teaching: Hybrid (onsite & online)
  • Contents:

• Smart cities and Power Electronic Conversion Systems (0,2 ECTS):

o Smart city concept
o Smart city requirements from the energy scenario point of view
o Future needs of smart cities

• Power Electronic Conversion Systems for Renewable Energy Sources (0.8 ECTS)

o Power converters for wind power systems
o Power converters for solar photovoltaic power systems
o Power converters for transportation applications
o Power converters for power quality applications in weak grids

• Power Electronic Conversion Systems for Energy Storage Systems (0,4 ECTS):

o Power converters for battery-based energy storage systems
o Power converters for supercapacitor-based energy storage systems
o Power converters for other energy storage systems (pumping storage, and others)
o Power converters for hybrid energy storage systems

• Power Electronic Conversion Systems for Electric Vehicles (0,2 ECTS):

o Basic concepts of Electric vehicles (EV)
o Power converters for on-board EV charging
o Infrastructures of fast EV charging

• Modulation of Power Electronic Conversion Systems (0,4 ECTS):

o Concept of modulation
o PWM-based modulation methods for power converters
o Other mainstream modulation strategies

• Hydrogen as an energy vector

o Hydrogen in smart cities
o Hydrogen production
o Hydrogen storage and distribution
o Hydrogen and fuel cells. Hydrogen vehicles.

• Requirements and features of Power Electronic Conversion Systems (0,4 ECTS)

o Efficiency in power conversion systems
o Reliability in power conversion systems
o Fault diagnosis in power conversion systems
o Fault-tolerant capability
o Power quality
o Power density

Practical classes

• Simulation activity: power converters for domestic solar PV applications. (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: power converters for industrial solar PV applications. (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: power converters for the integration of battery-based energy storage systems. (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: power converters for electric vehicles (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: visit to hydrogen lab (0,1 ECTS)

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Contents:

• Static electrical model of distribution networks (0,6 ECTS)

o Single-phase model for MV lines
o Three-phase model for LV lines
o Single-phase model for three-phase transformer
o Electrical model of demand and generation

• Flexibility on grid by new power conversion-based solutions

o Flexible PV and wind generation
o Distribution statcoms
o Energy storage systems
o Vehicle to grid and vehicle to home
o DC link

• Power flow tools for distribution networks (0,6 ECTS)

o Fundamentals of systematic solutions of electrical circuits
o Balanced admittance-based power flow
o Unbalanced admittance-based power flow
o Overview of power flow tools

• Continuity of supply and power quality in smart grids (0,6 ECTS)

o Continuity of supply and network layouts
o Key performance indexes for individual and zonal assessment of continuity of supply
o Power quality disturbances
o Continuity of supply and power quality standards

• DC versus AC distribution networks (0,2 ECTS)

o Why hybrid AC/DC networks?
o Hybrid AC/DC network architectures
o Comparative evaluation of hybrid configurations
o AC/DC hybrid network layout
o Active control of AC/DC hybrid LV networks

Practical classes:

• Simulation activity: flexibility provided by converters+PV. (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: flexibility provided by converters+V2G and V2H (0,2 ECTS)
• Working group in computer lab: study case of a microgrid (0,4 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Modelling and Analysis of distribution networks with passive consumers and different models of loads (0,15 ECTS)
• Simulation activity:Modelling and analysis of distribution network with generation and EV (0,15 ECTS)
• Working group in computer lab: Modelling and Analysis of distribution network with flexibility providers (0,45 ECTS)
• Experimental testing in scaled-down distribution networks (0,15 ECTS)

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Contents:

• Smart cities and Network codes (0,5 ECTS):

o Requirements of smart cities
o Grid codes and standards for smart cities

• Control of Power Electronic Conversion Systems (0.8 ECTS)

o Voltage-oriented control
o Direct Power Control
o Field-oriented control
o Direct torque control
o Model Predictive control
o Other control methods
o Vehicle-to-grid and vehicle-to-home examples

• Advanced Modulation of Power Electronic Conversion Systems (0.4 ECTS)

o Advanced PWM-based modulation methods
o Space-vector modulation strategies
o Pre-programmed PWM techniques
o Other advanced modulation methods

• Smart grid electrical analysis (0.4 ECTS)

o Interconnection of power systems in a microgrid
o Operation of power systems in the microgrid
o Stability of the smart grid: virtual inertia, grid forming, grid following, converter-dominated grids
o Awareness of the key role of DC for future smart grids
o Challenges in smart grids to meet the smart cities requirements

Practical classes: 

• Simulation activity: Voltage oriented control for VSI. (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Field oriented control of VSI. (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Model predictive control of grid-connected VSI. (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: PWM-based modulation methods of power converters (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Vehicle-to-grid power conversion systems (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Integration of a utility-scale solar PV conversion system (0,2 ECTS)
• Working group: Interconnection of several power converters to build a microgrid (1 ECTS)

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Contents:

• Operation of smart distribution grids (0,2 ECTS)

o Advanced distribution management systems (ADMS)
o Scheme and time scale for smart grid operation
o Definition of distribution grid operation states
o Approaches to network visibility

• Monitoring distribution grids (Tecnología electrónica 0,8 ECTS)

o Communication protocols in substations.
o Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) at low-voltage:

– Low-Voltage Supervisory (LVS)
– Smart metering solutions

o Demand response (DR) protocols

• State estimation application (0,8 ECTS)

o State estimation tool: objectives and components
o Prefiltering of measurements
o Observability analysis and pseudo-measurements generation
o State estimation algorithm
o Detection and identification of errors in measurements
o Real experiences of distribution state estimation

Practical classes:

• Communication protocols in substations; IEC61850 (0,4 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: LVS data integration (0,2 ECTS)
• Smart Metering solution: data retrieve and analysis from PRIME network (0,2 ECTS)
• DR protocols: OpenADR scheduling (0,2 ECTS)
• Demand profiles forecasting based on meter data (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: state estimation in MV smart networks. (0,15 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: state estimation in LV smart networks. (0,15 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: state estimation in secondary substations of smart cities (0,1 ECTS)
• Working group session: case of use solving the problem of observability and state estimation of a distribution network comprising different level of voltages (0.75 ECTS)
• Experimental testing of state estimators in scaled-down distribution networks (0,15 ECTS)
• Visit to a company implementing ADMS (0,2 ECTS)

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 1
  • Contents:

• Optimization of smart distribution grids (0,2 ECTS)

o Networks optimization objectives
o Utility controls at different voltage levels
o Third-party controls
o Centralized versus decentralized optimization approaches.

• Optimization techniques (0,4 ECTS)

o Lineal programming techniques
o Mixed-integer lineal programming techniques
o Non-linear programming techniques
o Commercial optimization software

• Centralized optimal solutions for smart grids (0,6 ECTS)

o Volt/Var control of MV networks
o MV Network reconfiguration
o Optimization in smart LV networks

• Dynamic Modelling of Energy Systems (0.3 ECTS)

o Static vs. dynamic modelling
o Dynamic modelling requirements
o Renewable Distributed Generation (DG)
o Distributed Storage (DS)

• Real-time control of optimal management of Energy Systems (0.3 ECTS)

o Advanced analytics and control algorithms
o Control actions and coordination
o Grid resilience and reliability
o Integration of renewable energy sources
o Model Predictive Control (MPC) of energy systems

Practical classes:

• Simulation activity: MV network reconfiguration. (0,2 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Volt/var control by using utility assets. (0,2 ECTS)
• Working group in computer lab: Role-play for optimal operation of smart grids by using utility and third-parties assets in balanced grids (0,4 ECTS)
• Working group in computer lab: Role-play for optimal operation of smart grids by using utility and third-parties assets in balanced grids (0,5 ECTS)
• Experimental testing in scaled-down distribution networks (0,2 ECTS)
• Visit to a company implementing optimization tools in ADMS (0,3 ECTS)
• Simulation activity: Dynamic modelling of a distributed generation system (0.3 ECTS)
• Working group in computer lab: Model Predictive Control of a distributed generation system (0.6 ECTS)

The Smart block

  • Once the basic structure of the city is set, the “smart” aspect needs to be developed.
  • 3 modules, offered by University of Seville (Spain) and Technical University of Košice (Slovakia) in a hybrid format (on-site, online):
    • A common Optimization and Digitalization of Smart Cities (15 ECTS, semester 2, compulsory).
    • Mobility and Transport in Smart Cities (12 ECTS, semester 2, elective, specialization elective track)
    • Energy efficiency and Smart Buildings (12 ECTS, semester 2, elective, specialization elective track)
  • Taught by experts in the fields mainly from University of Seville (Spain) and Technical University of Košice (Slovakia), with the participation of teachers/trainers from Université Côte d’Azur, as well as associated partners and external experts.

Optimization and Digitalization of Smart Cities (Compulsory)

Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 6
  • Semester: 2
  • Contents:INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY• Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and platforms for smartcities.

o General description of IT infrastructures for smartcities.
o The Internet of Things and Internet of Energy paradigm.
o European Smartcity platforms.

• Common technology related with IT infrastructures.

o Heterogeneous data source integration and integrity
o Service implementation and interconnections.

 Microservices, Docker, Kubernetes, Serverless
 REST API, Websockets, Webhooks

o Storage services for smartcities.

 SQL and NoSQL paradigms
 Data models
 Common databases
 PostgreSQL, Cassandra, MongoDB, Hbase, Orc
 Hadoop, Spark, Ignite

• Programming skills for smartcities’ IT infrastructures.

o Common libraries for IT architectures, data management and data exploitation (i.e., Python libraries).
o Cloud / MEC /Edge development.

CIBERSECURITY:

• Importance of resilience to failure (induced or unintentional) in smart city infrastructures.
• Cybersecurity in critical infrastructures.
• OT (Operational Technology) concepts. OT Threats and Attacks.Countermeasures for OT attacks.
• Ethical Hacking in OT environments.
• Layers to protect in IoT. IoT in the cloud
• IoT threats and attacks. Countermeasures for IoT attacks
• Fault Tolerant Systems

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 2
  • Contents:• Introduction to smart facility automation systems and their relation to smart Cities:

o smart buildings
o smart homes
o smart industrial
o smart transport stations
o etc.

• Main standards and communication protocols for automation systems.
• Sensors and actuators for smart facilities
• Facility management system tools.
• Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in smart facilities
• Optimal Distributed Energy Resources integration.

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 2
  • Contents:

• Key concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

o AI, Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL)
o Supervised and unsupervised learning
o Classification and regressions algorithms
o Cognitive computing
o Data mining for energy applications

• Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) foundations

o General description of neural networks
o ANN training
o Overfitting
o Common ANN architectures

• Deep Learning (DL) applications and architectures

o State-of-the-art DL models
o DL Applications:

 Self-Driving Cars
 Image processing and visual recognition
 Natural Language Processing
 Fraud and anomaly detection

• AI model implementations

o From-scrach model
o DL and ML frameworks: PyTorch, Tensorflow, Scikit learn, etc.
o Practical development of AI models for energy applications

• Predictive models for dynamical systems
• Machine Learning techniques for prediction
• Verification and quantification of the uncertainty
• Estimation and data reconciliation of energy systems
• Machine Learning for real time decision making
• Optimization for Machine Learning

 

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 2
  • Contents:

• Introduction to the Digital Twin. Historical review of the concept.
• ISO 23247 and Digital twins for the built environment.
• Techniques for the construction of Digital Models.
• Synchronisation in the Digital Twin.
• Data quality assurance.
• Digital twins for control.
• Virtualisation of controllers. IEC 61499 Standard.
• City Digital Twin. Digital Twin Ecosystem

Mobility and Transport in Smart Cities (Elective)

Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Basic concepts and principles of smart cities and their relationship with transportation and mobility.
• Land use and transport planning: the relationship between land use patterns, trip generation, and transportation demand
• Traffic control systems
• Urban Traffic Management: signal phasing. Isolated intersections. Arterial control, Network control. Integrated systems. Traffic coordinating architectures. Detectors and Management centres
• Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS):
• Definition and overview of ITS
• Technologies used in ITS (e.g. sensors, cameras, GPS)
• Application of ITS in traffic management and transport planning
• Travel behaviour and demand forecasting techniques in urban transport planning
• Transit-oriented development and its role in urban transport planning
• Sustainable transport policies and practices in urban areas
• Evaluation and monitoring of urban transport systems and policies.

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Transport Logistics (goods and people): introduction, objectives, activities.
• Elements, structures and strategies
• Theories
• Planning models
• Optimization of logistic systems: models
• Infrastructure optimization (warehouses, interchanges, terminals)
• Facility location and allocation
• Mode & Means optimization: intermodality
• City and urban logistics: goods, people, policies, regulations, models
• Urban transport intermodality
• System reliability
• Influencing factors
• Measuring & Evaluation
• Green Logistics
• Case studies
• Policies
• Further tendencies & potentialities

  • ECTS: 4,5
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Transport Logistics (goods and people): introduction, objectives, activities.
• Elements, structures and strategies
• Theories
• Planning models
• Optimization of logistic systems: models
• Infrastructure optimization (warehouses, interchanges, terminals)
• Facility location and allocation
• Mode & Means optimization: intermodality
• City and urban logistics: goods, people, policies, regulations, models
• Urban transport intermodality
• System reliability
• Influencing factors
• Measuring & Evaluation
• Green Logistics
• Case studies
• Policies
• Further tendencies & potentialities

Energy Efficiency and Smart Buildings (Elective)

Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 4
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Energy efficiency directive for buildings (0.2 ECTS)

o Net Zero Energy Buildings
o Positive Energy Buildings and Districts

• Comfort and climate (0.3 ECTS)

o Climate:

– Fundamental climate variables
– Climate classification
– The urban climate. Microclimate

o Thermal Comfort:

– Concepts
– Milestone research
– Comfort model of ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals
– Adaptive comfort models

• Building physics. Envelope, openings, materials (1 ECTS):

o Thermal transmittance
o Airtightness
o Thermal bridges
o Openings features

• Free-running Buildings in use (0.5 ECTS)

o Operation schedules
o Indoor air quality
o Indoor environmental quality

  • ECTS: 4
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Building systems. HVAC, operable buildings (0.6 ECTS):

o Thermal loads
o Direct expansion systems
o Indirect expansion systems
o Air Handling Units (AHU)
o Ducts
o Diffusers

• Energy conservations measures I (ECM). Passive strategies (0.7 ECTS)

o Spatial distribution
o Passive strategies
o Winter. Passive heating strategies
o Summer. Passive cooling strategies

• Energy conservations measures II (ECM). Active systems (0.7 ECTS)

o Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
o Heat recovery systems
o Lighting

  • ECTS: 4
  • Semester: 2 (elective)
  • Contents:

• Domotics applied to intelligent buildings (0.3 ECTS)

o Intelligent building optimization
o Healthy buildings

• Water treatment in buildings (0.3 ECTS)

o SHW (Sanitary Hot Water)
o Water footprint
o Soil infiltration
o Soil permeability. Bio-filters, SUDS.
o Technical solutions

• Renewable energy systems integration (1.2 ECTS)

o Solar hot water domestic systems
o Photovoltaic
o Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
o Micro wind energy
o Energy Storage Systems. Vehicle 2 Home

• Future perspectives, trends and R&I (0.2 ECTS)

o Rammed Earth, Bioclimatic materials
o Adaptive energy consumption
o Energy poverty alleviation
…. (tentative classes)

Year 2:

THE FLEXIBLE SEMESTER & THE GETTING INTO THE SECTOR SEMESTER

  • The FLEXIBLE semester:

– The Specialization  (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective)
– The Transversal skills  (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective)

  • The GETTING INTO THE SECTOR semester:

– The Traineeships (15 ECTS, semester 4, compulsory).
– The Master thesis (15 ECTS, semester 4, compulsory)

The Flexible semester

In this semester, two fully elective modules are offered, from which students can select a personalized track containing courses from any
module:

  • The Specialization (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective) is oriented towards a further specialization in smart cities by means of elective
    courses. The module is offered by all university partners in a hybrid format (on-site, online), with the participation of associated partners and external experts.
  • The Transversal skills (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective), containing a set of transversal training courses and activities dealing with Innovation, high level digital skills, communication skills, cultural courses, and languages, among others. A 6 ECTS course on entrepreneurship is offered in this semester. Every Ulysseus Innovation Hub has a joint incubator that will support this entrepreneurship training.

The Specialization (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective)

Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Contents: The teaching provides the necessary tools for the management and analysis of the different spatial data sources available today relating to both the terrestrial and marine environment, including the newest and highest resolution ones such as Lidar digital terrain models and satellite images. Several areas of application of the exercises will be addressed through the software GIS (Geographic Information System), for planning, management and monitoring the environment.

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) -University of Genoa (Italy)
  • Contents: The course aims to present the main issues related to sustainability at urban and territorial level. In particular, it deepens the main institutional competences and the related procedures. The course also illustrates virtuous experiences on the international scene.

  • ECTS: 4
  • Semester: 3 (elective) -University of Genoa (Italy).
  • Contents:The course aims to introduce the students to the main construction techniques adopted in existing buildings, in relation to their technical, structural and energy performance, and to identify the main pathologies and degradation phenomena to which they may be subject. The two modules of the course refer to the most common types of constructive in the European territory: the load masonry structures and those in reinforced concrete.The course is formed by two submodules:

• REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS
• TRADITIONAL MASONRY BUILDINGS

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) -University of Genoa (Italy).
  • Contents: The module aims to provide the basic knowledge needed to deal with an existing building rehabilitation project. Specifically, knowledge will be provided regarding the methodological approach for studying the existing building conditions and identifying design solutions; different rehabilitation techniques will be described in detail, and a focus will also be made on the main materials used.

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) -University of Genoa (Italy).
  • Contents: Learn about sustainability, life cycle thinking and life cycle assessment as a tool to evaluate potential impacts along the life-cycle of a product for ecodesign purpose.

Transversal skills (27 ECTS, semester 3, elective)

Module & subjects

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – MCI – The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria)
  • Contents: Purpose of the course: promote familiarity and understanding of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and provide the good reflexes to students when dealing with intellectual property. This course will be articulated around the following questions:

Why should I think about protecting my ideas?
– Why do IPRs matter: importance of intellectual property and the rights attached to it (IPRs) for businesses and entrepreneurs.

I have created/invented something valuable: Can I protect my creation/idea? Which options/rights are available to me?
– Patents
– Copyrights
– Industrial Designs
– Databases
– Trademark

I want to protect my creation/my idea: what should I do? Where should I go?
– Introduction to application procedures (patents, trademarks, designs).

I have protected my creation/idea (I now have IPRs): How can I make use of them? How do I valorise my creation/idea? How do I create value for my business?
– Introduction to IPRs management (strategies, enforcement, licensing & assignment).

I would like support to know when/how to protect my creation/idea: who can help me?
– Available support for young entrepreneurs/innovators & SMEs in matters related to IP (at EU, regional and national level) – Guests from the relevant IP support services (if feasible).

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) -MCI – The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria)
  • Contents:

• Laying the foundation for smart cities
• Implementation strategies
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Methods to measure impact and how to steer regional and city governments towards smart cities policies
• Financing
• Behavioural economics
• Project Management

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – MCI – The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria)
  • Contents:

• Students work on provided background material at real life solutions
• Logical Framework Approach

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – MCI – The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria)
  • Contents:

1. Entrepreneurial Mindset Chapter 1 Learning Objectives 01: To introduce the concept of entrepreneurship and explain the process of entrepreneurial action. 02: To describe how structural similarities enable entrepreneurs to make creative mental leaps. 03: To highlight bricolage as a source of entrepreneurs’ resourcefulness. 04: To introduce effectuation as a way expert entrepreneurs sometimes think. 05: To develop the notion that entrepreneurs cognitively adapt 06: To introduce sustainable entrepreneurship as a means of sustaining the natural environment and communities and developing gains for others.

2. Generating and Exploiting New Entries Chapter 3 Learning Objectives 01: To understand that the essential act of entrepreneurship involves new entry. 02: To be able to think about how an entrepreneurial strategy can first generate, and then exploit over time, a new entry. 03: To understand how resources are involved in the generation of opportunities. 04: To be able to assess the attractiveness of a new entry opportunity. 05: To acknowledge that entrepreneurship involves making decisions under conditions of uncertainty. 06: To be able to assess the extent of first-mover advantages and weigh them against first-mover disadvantages. 07: To understand that risk is associated with newness but there are strategies that the entrepreneur can use to reduce risk.

3. Creativity and the Business Idea Chapter 4 Learning Objectives 01: To identify various sources of ideas for new ventures. 02: To discuss methods available for generating new venture ideas. 03: To discuss creativity and creative problem solving techniques. 04: To discuss the importance of innovation. 05: To understand and be able to develop an opportunity assessment plan. 06: To discuss the aspects of the product planning and development process. 07: To discuss aspects of e-commerce.

4. Protecting the idea Chapter 6 Learning Objectives 01: To identify and distinguish intellectual property assets of a new venture including software and websites. 02: To understand the nature of patents, the rights they provide, and the filing process. 03: To understand the purpose of a trademark and the procedure for filing. 04: To learn the purpose of a copyright and how to file for one. 05: To identify procedures that can protect a venture’s trade secrets. 06: To understand the value of licensing to either expand a business or start a new venture. 07: To recognize the implications of new
legislation that affects board of directors and internal auditing processes for public companies. 08: To illustrate important issues related to contracts, insurance, and product safety and liability.

5. The Business Plan: Creating and Starting the Venture Chapter 7 Learning Objectives 01: To define what the business plan is, who prepares it, who reads it, and how it is evaluated. 02: To understand the scope and value of the business plan to investors, lenders, employees, suppliers, and customers. 03: To identify information needs and
sources for each critical section of the business plan. 04: To enhance awareness of the value of the Internet as an information resource and marketing tool. 05: To present examples and a step-by-step explanation of the business plan. 06: To present helpful questions for the entrepreneur at each stage of the planning process. 07: To understand how to monitor the business plan. 08: To understand the importance of contingency planning

6. The Marketing Plan Chapter 8 Learning Objectives 01: To understand the relevance of industry and competitive analysis to the market planning process. 02: To describe the role of marketing research in determining marketing strategy for the marketing plan. 03: To illustrate an effective and feasible procedure for the entrepreneur to follow in engaging in a market research study. 04: To define the steps in preparing the marketing plan. 05: Understanding how to prepare a marketing budget. 06: To illustrate different creative strategies such as social media that may be used to differentiate or position the new venture’s products or services.

7. The Organizational Plan Chapter 9 Learning Objectives 01: To understand the importance of the management team in launching a new venture. 02: To understand the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative legal forms for organizing a new venture. 03: To explain and compare the S corporation and limited liability company as alternative forms of incorporation. 04: To understand the implication.

  • ECTS: 3
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – MCI – The Entrepreneurial School ® (Austria)
  • Contents:

1. New products as innovations connecting technology and marketing (Day 1) 1.1 NPD strategy: combining Marketing and Technology strategy: 1.2 User value. Identifying customer needs 1.3 Innovation: adoption and use. Key factors behind product innovation.

2. The innovation process and its sources (Day 1) 2.1 The sources that stimulate innovations 2.2. Lead users (von Hippel) 2.3 New Product Development as an innovation process: the “Innovation Journey” 2.4 BIG Idea case classroom discussion (pre-reading required).

3. The business network surrounding product development (Day 1) 3.1 The interaction model and business relationships. 3.2 The ARA model. 3.3 Markets-as-Networks 3.4 Product development in business networks.

4. Presentations of students’ own innovation cases (Day 1 & Day 2).

5. Combining resources for product development (Day 2) 5.2 Resource interactions around the product 5.2 The 4Rs model 5.3 Furniture cases: Edsbyn’s El-Table, IKEA’s Lack table and Billy bookshelf 5.4 Classroom discussion of the three furniture cases.

6. Exploiting innovations in a network (Day 2).

7. Disruptive technologies and new ventures (Day 2) 7.1 The “innovator’s dilemma” (Christensen) 7.2 Mechanisms of disruption 7.3 The “innovator’s solution” as new corporate ventures.

8. Entrepreneurship as starting up new businesses (Day 3) 8.1 Identifying business opportunities (Kirzner’s alertness) 8.2 Creating business opportunities (Schumpeter’s creativity).

9. New-technology based firms (Day 3) 9.1 Spin-offs & start-ups 9.2 Starting up in networks 9.3 Challenges of science-based firms: the ParAllele case 9.4 Classroom discussion of the ParAllele case.

10. Planning a start-up (Day 3) 10.1 Modelling a new business with “Business Model Canvas” 10.2 Value creation, “Unique Selling Proposition” (UPS) and protection via IPRs (Intellectual Property) 10.3 Market and financial forecasts: estimating profitability (Net Present Value, NPV analysis) 10.4 Interacting with Venture Capitalists
11. Role play venture capitalists Vs entrepreneurs with own business ideas (Day 3 & Day 4).

12. Responsible entrepreneurship (Day 4) 12.1 From profit vs sustainability to profits AND sustainability 12.2 Environmental and social responsibility 12.3 Embracing external stakeholders and Building & sharing values internally 12.4 Classroom discussion of the Body Shop International case (pre-reading required).

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• Learning and organisational competitiveness
• Different approaches to learning
• From knowledge to competences
• Learning processes and practices
• Supportive learning environment
• Organizational culture that enhances learning

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• The future of changing work
• Agency and job crafting
• Human and social capital in an organisation
• Organisational design
• New ways of organising
• Organisational tensions
• Organisational development and ethics

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• Responsible business and sustainable development
• Effects of a sharing economy on business and customer behaviour
• Strategic responsibility and creation of shared value
• Stakeholder analysis and stakeholder dialogue
• Responsibility communication and reporting
• Development of a responsible organisation culture

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• Enabling vs. restrictive beliefs and stories
• Emotional intelligence
• Balancing between being and doing modes
• Personal triggers of behaviour
• Presence and mindfulness as a means to bring clarity into action
• Whole person paradigm
• Intention and experimental mode of action as a path towards trust and results
• Creating favourable conditions for personal and organisational transformation towards meaning and joy

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• UNWTO’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Key stakeholders of SDGs
• SDGs from individual, business, community and global point of view
• Sustainable business strategies in business
• SDGs in business operations
• Solving SDGs related case in business

  • ECTS: 5
  • Semester: 3 (elective) – Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
  • Contents:

• Futures orientation – characteristics and concepts related to the future
• Approaches, data collection and analysing methods in futures research
• Futures research and change

The Getting into the Sector semester

A fourth semester focused on the labour market/research by means of two modules:

  • The Traineeships module (15 ECTS, semester 4, compulsory). Two main traineeships options are available:
    • In a specialized company or a public administration. In close relationship to the IH on Energy, Transport, Mobility and Smart Cities hosted by the University of Seville (Spain).
    • In a research group of one Department of the six university partners, or a Research Center.
  • The Master thesis module (15 ECTS, semester 4, compulsory). The master thesis aims at providing answers to a realistic challenge project from an innovative and interdisciplinary point of view. It can be business (i.e., in apublic or private institution)- or research (i.e., a research department or research center)-oriented and combined with the traineeship period.

More information