
2nd Cycle: Water Science and Environmental Engineering MA
The second cycle master study program Water Science and Environmental Engineering consists of two years (four semesters) and amounts to 120 credit points. The study leads to the award of the professional title MAGISTER INŽENIR OKOLJSKEGA GRADBENIŠTVA (MASTER ENGINEER OF WATER SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING), shorter mag. inž. ok. grad.
During the second cycle master study program Water Science and Environmental Engineering graduates acquire fundamental knowledge of natural sciences, as well as fundamental and most importantly applicable professional (civil engineering) skills for solving demanding administrative procedures and designing, developing, implementing and maintaining demanding civil engineering structures in the areas of water science and environmental engineering.
Besides gaining general theoretic knowledge about hydraulics and geotechnics, students will also learn the modern principles of water science and the latest achievements of the profession in individual areas of environmental and civil engineering, presented in a modern way using state-of-the-art technology With group and project work, field word and by solving subject-specific tasks students develop essential teamwork and public speaking skills and are able to coherently present scientific and engineering ideas to expert and lay public. They become acquainted with project management in the fields of environmental civil engineering, especially designing specialised construction types and measures. All the acquired expert knowledge can be tested to the largest possible extent within practical tutorials and rea-life case studies, which helps students, together with practical training as part of the study program, to get involved in practical work after the finished master study.
places for master study program Water Science and Environmental Engineering (MA)
Study programme courses – Water Science and Environmental Engineering (MA)
Study programme courses (valid for students that enrol in the 1st year from academic year 2017/18 on)
1st YEAR
1st semester | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Hydraulic modelling | 120 | 8 |
Hydrological modelling | 90 | 6 |
Drinking water supply and treatment | 120 | 8 |
Project management | 60 | 4 |
Basics of spatial sociology | 45 | 3 |
2nd semester | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
River engineering | 120 | 8 |
Drainage and irrigation | 90 | 6 |
Water protection | 60 | 4 |
Open sea and coastal area | 60 | 4 |
Environmental geotechnics | 75 | 5 |
Remote sensing in environ. civil eng. | 60 | 4 |
2nd YEAR
3rd semester | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Elective module | 360 | 24 |
Elective course 1 | 90 | 6 |
4th semester | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Master thesis | 450 | 30 |
According to the University Statute, during the studies students may collect 5 % of external contents. The remaining part of electives must be from professional field of study. |
Elective Courses
Elective module Environmental Engineering – 1st Semester 2nd Year | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Urban drainage and cleaning of waste water | 120 | 8 |
Water management systems | 60 | 4 |
Torrent, erosion, rockfall and avalanche control | 60 | 4 |
Mathematical model. of environmental processes | 75 | 5 |
Meteorology | 45 | 3 |
Elective module Flood Risk Management – 1st Semester 2nd Year | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Spatial planning for flood protection | 75 | 5 |
Socioeconomical assessment of flood risk | 75 | 5 |
Torrent, erosion, rockfall and avalanche control | 60 | 4 |
Numerical methods in fluid dynamics | 90 | 6 |
Environmental technologies | 60 | 4 |
Elective module Hydraulic Engineering – 1st Semester 2nd Year | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Hydraulic structures | 120 | 8 |
Water management systems | 60 | 4 |
Hydroelectric power | 60 | 4 |
Urban drainage and cleaning of waste water | 120 | 8 |
PROFESSIONAL ELECTIVE COURSES | ||
---|---|---|
Course | Contact hours | ECTS* |
Slope stabilisation | 60 | 4 |
Hydraulic machines and devices | 60 | 4 |
Water policy | 60 | 4 |
Decision support systems in water management | 75 | 5 |
Landscape management | 60 | 4 |
Introduction to research work | 60 | 4 |
Project in infrastructural systems | 60 | 4 |
Selected topics from mathematics III | 60 | 4 |
Ecohydrology | 60 | 4 |
Geotechnics of infrastructural facilities | 90 | 6 |
Practical training | 126 | 6 |
Basic goals of the programme
Graduates of the master study programme Water Science and Environmental Engineering will acquire fundamental knowledge of natural sciences, as well as applicable expert (civil engineering) skills for solving demanding administrative procedures and designing, planning, implementing and maintaining more demanding civil and water engineering structures in the areas of water management, municipal and environmental engineering.
Besides gaining general theoretic knowledge about hydraulics and geotechnics, students will also learn the modern principles of water science and the latest achievements of the profession in individual areas of environmental and civil engineering, presented in a modern way using state-of-the-art technology. By working in groups, involvement in project work, field work and by solving problem tasks, students will acquire essential teamwork and public speaking skills and will be able to coherently present scientific and engineering ideas to expert and lay public. They will become acquainted with project management in the fields of environmental civil engineering and water management, and especially designing specialised construction types and measures. The students will have the opportunity to test all the acquired expert knowledge to the largest possible extent within practical exercises and real-life case studies, which will help them, together with practical training as part of the study, to get involved in practical work after the finished master’s study. Another goal of the programme is also to provide the students with sufficient basic engineering knowledge to allow the development of abstract thinking and successful continuation of the study at different third cycle (i.e. doctoral) programmes (e.g. civil engineering or environment protection).
General competences
- general overview of academic areas,
- development of abilities to frame, comprehend and creatively solve problems, principles and theories,
- high level of creativity and innovation as a result of the interdisciplinary nature of the study,
- critical reading and understanding of relevant literature, independent knowledge gathering and literature search,
- development of the abilities of critical, analytical and synthetic thinking,
- competences for transferring and applying theoretical knowledge into practice and solving demanding professional and practical problems,
- development of professional and ethical responsibilities,
- development of verbal and numerical literacy, public speaking skills and competences to communicate with clients as well as the lay and professional public,
- ability to use a foreign language in professional written and oral communication,
- ability to use information and communication technologies, also in an international setting,
- ability to establish local and international interdisciplinary connections,
- compliance with safety, functional, economic and environmental aspects of work,
- development of high ethical and moral standards (maintaining integrity when working with clients, providing unbiased advice, sustaining independence and expertise according to valid legislation),
- developing an objective view of the environment and society,
- accepting responsibilities to customers and employers as well as the society as a whole,
- ability to design and implement demanding constructions in compliance with quality and price standards and carry out independent technical evaluations supported by scientific analysis and synthesis, all based on the acquired in-depth knowledge of natural sciences and specialised expertise from the area of water science, environmental and environmental civil engineering,
- ability to recognise and take into account the environmental risk associated with construction and to consider the issues of environment protection in designing structures in the area of environmental civil engineering.
Course-specific competences acquired with the programme
Course-specific competences the students acquire within the program Water Science and Environmental Engineering are mainly the following:
- understanding the role and importance of water management in modern society,
- taking part in planning, organisation, management and implementation of the construction of demanding civil engineering structures in the area of water management,
- designing individual elements as well as entire more demanding civil engineering structures in the area of water management,
- independently and creatively performing demanding tasks from the area of environmental civil engineering, environmental engineering and water management,
- managing groups in planning, design and implementation of different interventions into the aquatic environment, including construction in endangered areas,
- involvement in the preparation of spatial planning acts,
- coordinating work between investors, designers and contractors,
- knowing the legal, institutional and administrative system essential for water management and for managing and recording water resources and endangered areas,
- after suitable practical experience, the students are qualified to oversee larger water management companies.
Enrolment requirements and selection criteria in case of restricted enrolment
- graduates of a first cycle study programme from the area of Civil Engineering;
- graduates of a first cycle study programme from other expert areas (e.g. technical or biotechnical), if prior to the enrolment the candidates complete other study obligations essential for the continuation of the study totalling 10-60 ECTS. These obligations are defined according to the nature of the expert area, and the candidates may complete them during the first cycle study or by taking exams before the enrolment in the master’s study Water Science and Environmental Engineering. Requirements for individual bridging programmes are defined by the Study Board of the Department of Environmental Civil Engineering according to the missing knowledge of the candidate not obtained during previous educatio This also applies to the enrolment of students from other higher education institutions in Slovenia, EU and elsewhere.
In case of restricted enrolment the following conditions shall be considered: grade obtained in the first cycle study (100%).
The number of places is determined in the Call for enrolment into second cycle study programmes of the University of Ljubljana individually for each academic year.
Knowledge and skills required for the admission to the program
The recognition process considers the following:
- certificates and other documents (recognition of »non-typical certificates«, portfolios, documents about finished courses and other forms of education),
- evaluation of finished products, services, publications and other original works of the student (possibility of performing study obligations – e.g. exams, preliminary exams, etc.
- by evaluating products, e.g. projects, made by the student before the enrolment),
- evaluation of knowledge acquired by the student with self-education or empirical learning (possibility of completing study obligations without participation at lectures, practical work, seminars),
- adequate work experience (e.g. recognition of practical training and other course units of the program that are based on practical work and experience).
Should the Study Board of the department establish that the acquired knowledge may be recognised, this shall be evaluated with the same number of credits according to ECTS as the number of credits in the subject.
Advancement conditions according to the program
Students may enrol in a higher year if they complete all the obligations foreseen by the study plan amounting to at least 45 ECTS-credits by the end of the study year.
Under exceptional circumstances students may be permitted to proceed without successful completion of 45 ECTS, i.e. the obligations defined to proceed to the higher year of the study programme, provided they have justifiable reasons as defined by Article 153 of the Statute of UL (maternity, extended illness, exceptional family and social circumstances, certified status of a person with special needs, active participation in top expert, cultural and sports events, active participation on University bodies).
Under the conditions set out in the above paragraph, students may enrol in a higher year with at least 30 ECTS-credits collected. The decision to permit enrolment is adopted by the Study Board of the Department of Environmental Civil Engineering of UL FGG.
Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering has an established tutorship and supervision system in place for its students, offered also in the framework of the master’s study programme Water Science and Environmental Engineering. Students of both years have class mentors, and smaller groups of students have individual tutors who will either be academic staff members or second year students who will help their protégés in choosing study orientations, elective courses etc.
Students with above average study results will be allowed faster advancement, if applicable with regard to the study process. Based on the student’s application the decision is adopted by the Study Board of the Department of Environmental Civil Engineering of UL FGG. With a decree of the Study board the principles of faster progress are determined.
Conditions for repeat enrolment in the same year
Failing to meet the obligations defined by the study programme for advancement in a higher year, students may enrol in the same year for the second time, provided that they have obtained at least 30 ECTS-credits.

Requirements for completion of the study
In compliance with the Professional and Academic Titles Act (Official Gazette No. 61/2006) professional and scientific titles as well as titles acquired by education shall not be translated to foreign languages. However, as reference only, the title acquired according corresponds to the Master Engineer of Environmental Civil Engineering .
Transfer between study programmes
Transfers are possible from the second cycle study programmes, and until their expiration also from the undergraduate academic study programmes adopted before June 11 2004, where the competences of the finished studies are comparable and according to the acknowledgement criteria at least half of the obligations according to ECTS from the first study programme related to compulsory courses of the second study programme can be acknowledged. Considering the scope of acknowledged obligations from the first study programme in the Republic of Slovenia or abroad student may enrol to the same or higher year in the second study programme. Transferring students shall fulfil the conditions for the enrolment to the second study programme.
Applications of candidates for the transfer to the second cycle master study programme Water Science and Environmental Engineering and the scope of acknowledged obligations in the study programme will be examined individually by the Study Board of the Department of Environmental Civil Engineering. If in the procedure of acknowledging obligations for the purpose of transfer the candidate is approved at least the amount of credit points and those point that are required for the enrolment to the second year of the second cycle master study programme Water Science and Environmental Engineering, the candidate may enrol to the second year of the second cycle master study programme Water Science and Environmental Engineering.
Methods of Assessment
Knowledge is examined and evaluated in individual courses. Accordingly, the teaching process in each course finishes with the examination of knowledge and acquired skills. The forms of knowledge testing (oral or written examinations, preliminary examinations, seminar works, work logs, practical assignments, projects, portfolios, peer evaluation) are defined in the study plans of individual courses. General rules of knowledge testing are regulated by the Rules on the first and second cycle studies at the UL FGG, adopted by the Senate of FGG. The details are defined by the Study Regulations.
The student receives a single grade of the exam, consisting of foreseen required obligations in each course. Each obligation shall be evaluated with a positive grade.
Knowledge from preliminary and partial examinations, seminars, seminar works, work logs, practical projects, home projects, homework and similar amounts to at least 30 % of the total grade.
According to the Statute of the University of Ljubljana the following grading scale is used:
10 – (91–100 %: excellent: exceptional results with negligible mistakes),
9 – (81–90 %: very good: above average knowledge with few mistakes),
8 – (71–80 %: very good: sound outcomes),
7 – (61–70 %: good: good knowledge, but with significant shortcomings)
6 – (51–60 %: sufficient: performance meets the minimum criteria),
5 – (50 % and less: unsatisfactory: performance does not meet minimum criteria).
The candidate's performance is considered successful for grades from satisfactory (6) to excellent (10).
Possibilities of elective courses and mobility
Students may also chose elective courses from other faculties that are members of UL, other universities and higher education institutions in Slovenia, or internationally. They are recommended to select courses from the areas of law, economics, administration, statistics, geophysics, computer science, foreign languages, geomorphology, etc.
Students may transfer 30 ECTS-credits of the programme (one study semester, regardless of compulsory and elective units) from any other environmental or hydraulic engineering programme in Slovenia or abroad, provided that UL FGG has a signed agreement with the institution in question.


All study programmes on Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering are internationally certified from 2015 to 2021.