Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments

General information

Name of the programme: Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments
Type of programme: Doctoral, 3rd Bologna cycle
Degree awarded: “doktor znanosti / doktorica znanosti”
Language: Slovene, English
Location: Koper
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
ECTS-credits: 180
Mode of study: part-time

Programme coordinatortop

Prof. Andreja Kutnar, PhD

For information regarding application, enrolment and other administrative procedures please contact Student Services.

About the programmetop

The Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments doctoral program offers a sophisticated set of pertinent, long-term perspectives on the emerging field of renewable materials for healthy built environments. Doctoral students receive a highly interdisciplinary education that encourages exploration of breakthrough topics and opens the door to a collaborative international workspace. Students leave the program as experts in the field who thoroughly understand theoretical concepts, hold broadly technical knowledge and independently develop new knowledge. The program equips students with advanced technological skill to solve the field’s most complex, demanding theoretical and practical problems.

Educational and professional goalstop

• To educate top experts in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments with in-depth understanding of theoretical concepts, wide technical knowledge and the ability to independently develop new knowledge.
• To provide the development of the capabilities for interdisciplinary, interconnected operation in the international scientific-research field and solving complex, the most demanding theoretical and practical problems in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments, using modern technological tools.
• To introduce a holistic approach in the search for creative and sustainable solutions in engineering and in the development of practical solutions for engineering professions.
• To train doctoral students for analytical and synthetic thinking in the detection, argumented presentation and problem solving in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments.

Admission requirementstop

Admission to the 1st year shall be granted to applicants having: 

• a Master's degree (second cycle); or
• a degree from a study programme with 300 ECTS-credits; or
• a degree from a pre-Bologna reform undergraduate study programme.

The Faculty highly recommends prior education in the areas of built environment, civil engineering, wood science and architecture.

Admission may be also granted to applicants who completed comparable studies abroad, and who, in accordance with the law, in the process of recognition of foreign education, have been granted the right to study in the study programme Renewable materials for healthy built environments. Individual applications of candidates for enrolment are managed by the UP FAMNIT commission.

In case of ENROLMENT RESTRICTIONS in the 1st year, candidates will be chosen on the basis of:

• the success at previous study (average grade, final grade) - 70%,
• the grade of the oral examination - 30%.

Admission may also be gained by an applicant having completed a comparable study abroad. Prior to enrolment the applicant must apply for the recognition of completed education.

Continuation of studies according to the transfer criteriatop

Transfers between study programmes are possible on the basis of the Higher Education Act, Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes and in accordance with other regulations of this field.

The transition between study programmes is the enrolment in the higher year of the study programme, in case of leaving the education at the initial study programme and continuing the study process at another study program of the same degree. The transition takes into account the comparability of the study programmes and the completed study obligations of the candidate in the initial study program.

Access to year 2 or year 3 of the doctoral study programme Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is open to candidates of a related third-cycle doctoral degree programme, provided that the following conditions have been met:

• the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to the study programme of Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments;
• completion of the first study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competencies as those envisaged by the study programme of Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments; and
• other conditions in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes have also been met (a comparable course structure, course requirements completed).

Entry into Year 2 of the doctoral degree programme of Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is also open to graduates of a related pre-Bologna reform Master’s degree programme.

Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the relevant committee of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes. The applicant may also be required to complete differential exams as defined by the relevant Faculty committee.

Enrolment on the basis of the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes is also open to candidates of a related study programme abroad who have been, in the process of recognition of their studies abroad, legally granted the right to continue their educational training in the study programme of Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments.

In the case of limited enrolment, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade of all completed study obligations obtained during the study programme they are transferring from.

Course structuretop

The main components of the study programme are the following:

• compulsory courses,
• elective courses,
• seminar,
• individual research work,
• doctoral dissertation.

The content and structure of the study programme are presented below.

Short descriptions of compulsory and elective courses are available HERE.

Year of study	Study obligation	ECTS-credits (ECTS)
		ECTS	ECTS/Year of study
1.	Compulsory course	30	60
	Individual research work	15
	Preparation of doctoral disposition - seminar	15
2.	Individual research work	40	60
	Internal elective course	20
3.	Individual research work (preparation and defense of doctoral disertation)	60	60
TOTAL		180

No.	Course	ECTS	Form of contact hour
			L	SE	LW	Total
1.	Scientific writting and presentation	5	30	-	-	30
2.	Design and analysis of planned experiments	5	30	-	-	30
3.	Renewable materials for healthy built environments	20	90	60	30	180
4.	Preparation of doctoral disposition - seminar	15	-	30	-	30

No.	Course	ECTS		Form of contact hour
			L	SE	T	LW	Total
1.	Selected topics in wood science and technology	10	45	-	-	20	65
2.	Selected topics in wood modification and functionalization of renewable materials	10	45	45	-	10	100
3.	Selected topics in advanced manufacturing / process control of engineered renewable materials for use in sustainable buildings	10	45	45	-	30	120
4.	Selected topics in renewable material engineering and sustainable construction	10	45	45	-	-	90
5.	Selected topics in the characterisation of renewable materials	10	45	40	-	10	95
6.	Selected topics in regenerative sustainability	10	45	20	-	-	65
7.	Selected topics in human health in the built environment	10	45	20	-	-	65
8.	Selected topics in IoT and the built environment	10	45	15	30	-	90
9.	Selected topics in modeling	10	45	50	35	-	130
10.	Holistic design of contemporary timber buildings	10	45	15	-	-	60
11.	The built environment and role of engineers	10	45	15	-	-	60

As part of their individual research work in the 2nd year, students may choose external elective courses from accredited higher education study programmes in Slovenia or abroad, from the fields of architecture, urban planning, toxicology, environmental health, etc., carried out by appropriately habilitated higher education instructors.

In order to choose an external subject, the student must first submit the syllabus of the desired elective course to the study programme coordinator for approval. Students may carry out external elective courses remotely. The student is advised to select external electives in the range of 6 - 12 ECTS by selecting one or two subjects in the range of 6 ECTS.

Individual research work

Individual research work represents scientific research work of a student on his doctoral topic, which the student performs under the guidance and in cooperation with his mentor.

Doctoral dissertation (PhD Thesis)

The doctoral dissertation represents a new substantial contribution to the global knowledge in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments. The work must be published (or accepted for publication) in an international journal from the field before the defense of the doctoral thesis, namely in at least two articles in journals from the SCI list (first or lead authorship).

The procedure for preparing a doctoral dissertation is regulated by the Rules on the preparation and defence of the doctoral dissertation at the University of Primorska.

Advancement requirements and completion of studiestop

Advancement requirements

A student can enroll in the 2nd year of study if he / she has completed all compulsory courses of the 1st year and has reached 50 ECTS-credits. A student can enroll in the 3rd year if he / she has completed all study obligations of the 1st year (60 ECTS-credits), acquired at least 40 ECTS-credits from the 2nd year and his / her topic of the doctoral dissertation has been confirmed.

The procedure for registering the topic of the doctoral dissertation is in accordance with the provisions of the university regulations governing the preparation and defence of doctoral dissertations.

Exceptionally, a student may enroll in the next year of study, even if he / she has not fulfilled all the required obligations, in case of justified reasons, such as: motherhood, longer illness, exceptional family and social circumstances, recognized status persons with special needs, active participation in top professional, cultural and sport events, active participation in the bodies of the University.

A student who achieves above-average study results is allowed to advance more quickly. The decision is taken by the UP FAMNIT Senate and St Andrews University upon the candidate's request and the reasoned opinion of the aforementioned committee responsible. The decision determines the manner of faster progress.

A student who has not fulfilled all the obligations of the study programme for enrollment in the next year of study may, subject to the provisions of the Higher Education Act, repeat the year at the time of study.

Completion of studies

The doctoral dissertation represents a new substantial contribution to the global knowledge in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments. The work must be published (or accepted for publication) in an international journal from the field before the defense of the doctoral thesis, namely in at least two articles in journals from the SCI list (first or lead authorship).

In order to complete the study programme and obtain the scientific title, the student must complete all the requirements of the study program and successfully publicly defend the doctoral dissertation. The student must acquire at least 180 ECTS-credits, of which 60 ECTS-credits are for the preparation and successful defense of the doctoral disertation.

Graduate competenciestop

General competencies

• The ability to autonomously identify, analyze, critically assess and reflect the situation, anticipate the consequences of factors (mechanical, physical, sociological, psychological, ethical) that influence the use of renewable materials for healthy built environments.
• To be qualified for planning, synthesizing and interdisciplinary solving of complex problems in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments, with the ability to integrate knowledge from different fields, for a comprehensive problem solving.
• To gain knowledge and skills for independent research work, gain new insights, solve concrete work problems using modern scientific methods and procedures, search for new solutions and manage the most demanding scientific-research and other projects.
• The ability to participate in various interdisciplinary expert groups and integrate various scientific and professional areas.
• To be capable of communication, argumentation of solutions and presentation of research findings to different stakeholders (in the scientific, economic and social environment).
• To acquire skills for identifying situations and applying skills and knowledge gained from scientific and research work to professional solutions, as well as various educational programs and implementation of the educational process.

Subject-specific competencies

• To understand the tasks and work of civil engineers and spatial planners.
• The ability to address complex problems in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments with interdisciplinary research work.
• The ability to critically evaluate and address research results, develop and apply new research methods, and transfer and integrate new technologies into practice.
• The ability to critically evaluate the use of wood and other natural materials in a sustainable built environment.
• To manage a broad overview of the areas related to the built environment, construction, planning and sustainable measures and integrate knowledge to solve complex issues.
• To develop a comprehensive knowledge of the broad field of the built environment, which will enable them to efficiently deploy and apply advanced topics in various areas of practice and research work.
• The ability to describe and formulate in writing the given situation.
• The ability to express themselves, define problems in project applications or research plans in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments.
• The ability to present scientific results in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments to various audiences.
• Through the understanding and applications of modern technology, they will be able to solve building and other problems related to the use of wood in the built environment.
• The ability to handle and evaluate the analysis of the selected problem.
• The ability to derive logical decisions and deduce new conclusions from the given data.
• To autonomously face problems in the field of renewable materials and a healthy built environment and formulate their solutions logically and analytically.
• The ability to analyze, synthesize and predict solutions and consequences of factors in disciplines related to the built environment, considering sustainable development.
• The ability to critically assess the developments in the field of renewable materials for healthy built environments.
• The ability to independently search, acquire expertise and integrate new knowledge with existing knowledge.
• The ability to search for new information, interpret and evaluate, sort and place them in the context of the built environment disciplines.

Graduate employment opportunitiestop

Graduates of the Renewable Materials for Healthy Built Environments doctoral program can pursue research careers in academia, the public sector or private laboratories. The wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the program can also prepare students for diverse employment in research and development or operations across a wide range of industries. The opportunity to participate in practical research during the course of study gives students a distinct advantage as they can connect with industry significantly earlier and more efficiently.

Tuition feetop

• The TUITION FEE for each year of study is determined in the Price list UP FAMNIT.
• The CO-FUNDING OF DOCTORAL STUDIES will be open to all students who meet the requirements from the Decree on co-Financing of doctoral studies and Criteria for the selection of candidates for co-funding tuition fees in doctoral studies at the University of Primorska. More information is available here.