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Åbo Akademi University 2014/2015
TWO-YEAR MASTER'S PROGRAMMES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
Master's Programme in
Peace, Mediation and
Conflict Research
This two-year Master's Programme provides interdisciplinary
perspectives on the complex issues related to peace and
conflict in the contemporary world. The programme aims to
facilitate the understanding of conflict and its mediation in
terms of short and long term consequences. The programme
also focuses on conflict resolution, mediation, and peacemak-
ing in local as well as regional and global contexts.
In this Master's Programme, peace and conflict are under-
stood as processes, thus the programme helps to analyze not
only the nature and evolution of conflict, but also approaches
to conflict that include peace building, mediation, and ne-
gotiation. A variety of approaches, procedures, tools, and
methods are analyzed in practical contextswithin theMaster's
Programme in Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research.
The successful completion of this two-year full-time study
programme results in the award of Master of Social Science
degree.
The Structure of the Programme
The programme consists of 120 credits. There are 65 credits
in compulsory studies, for example in Mediation and Nego-
tiation, Contemporary Peace and Conflict Studies, Research
Methods and Scientific Writing. The compulsory studies also
include thesis seminars and the thesis. Students select 55 cred-
its from lists of elective courses on a variety of topics dealing
with aggression, conflict, conflict resolution, peacemaking,
human security, gender and peacemaking, reconciliation,
environment and peace, and so on.
Cooperation with this Joint Programme
TheMaster's Programme is organized jointly by Åbo Akademi
University in Vasa and the University of Tampere. The coordi-
nating unit at Åbo Akademi University is the Developmental
Psychology Programme within the Department of Social Sci-
ences, and at theUniversity of Tampere the coordinating units
are Tampere Peace Research Institute in cooperationwith the
School of Management and the School of Social Sciences and
Humanities. The programme has a joint website:
Study Environment
The Peace, Mediation and Conflict Research programme is
located at the Vasa campus of Åbo Akademi University. Vasa
is on Finland's west coast and renowned for its scenic seaside
environs and friendliness as a medium-sized city.
For more information about the programme please see:
, or
E-mail:
Master's Programme in
Computer Engineering/
Software Engineering
Software engineering focuses on the systematic, efficient
and effective development of software systems. The study
programme in software engineering comprises the use of
specification, design, programming, validation and project
planning and management methods and tools to develop
high-quality, affordable and maintainable software systems.
There is an emphasis on the development of internet-based
software services and applications. Communication skills and
team work are also an important part of the studies.
The study programme is designed to provide the student
with the necessary knowledge and skills to join the software
industry and participate in demanding software development
projects. It also provides the required background for doctoral
research in software engineering. Successful completion of
this two-year full-time study programme results in the award
of aMaster of Science (Technology) degree (in Swedish diplo-
mingenjör). Professor Ivan Porres leads the study programme.
Structure of the Programme
The studies consists of the following modules: advanced
studies in software engineering (40 credits), master's thesis in
software engineering (30 credits), project course (10 credits),
studies in information systems and management sciences
(20 credits); language course (5 credits), and free optional
studies (15 credits).
Study environment
The Master Studies in Software Engineering are offered by
the Department of Information Technologies at Åbo Akademi
University. The department provides education in Computer
Engineering, Computer Science and Information Systems, at
the bachelor's level, master's level and postgraduate level.
The department is located in the Turku Science Park area,
in the ICT-building, where research groups and academic
programmes meet, interact and collaborate with ICT com-
panies - many of which are multinational and well known.
The study facilities are brand-new and equipped with the
latest technology.
For more information about the programme please see:
E-mail:
