Univerza na Primorskem Fakulteta za matematiko, naravoslovje in informacijske tehnologije
Presentation of the study
The professional higher education study programme Wood Innovation for Sustainability is conducted in Slovenian and English language.
The programme is designed as a modern response to the needs of the wood-processing industry in Slovenia and Europe. It focuses on the development of interdisciplinary knowledge, digital competences, and sustainable approaches that support the green transition and the circular bioeconomy. The programme combines fundamental natural sciences and engineering knowledge with advanced professional content related to wood properties, wood products, and modern production technologies. A strong emphasis is placed on digitalisation, data analytics, and the use of artificial intelligence in the wood sector.
Students also develop business and economic skills, project management competences, and an understanding of sustainability assessment. A distinctive feature of the programme is its international dimension and close cooperation with industry, enabling direct engagement with practical environments. Graduates are equipped for innovative, responsible, and competitive careers in the wood industry and for contributing to the sustainable development of society.
Programme information
Programme name: Wood Innovation for Sustainability
Type of programme: professional higher education programme, 1st cycle
Degree awarded: “diplomirani inženir lesarstva (VS)” equiv. to Bachelor of Applied Science in Wood Engineering
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters)
ECTS-credits: 180
Mode of study: full-time
Language of instruction: Slovene, English
Place of study: Izola, Koper (partly)
Accreditation: the programme is accredited in accordance with the Higher Education Act and is officialy recognised.
Admission to the first year of study shall be granted to applicants having:
a) successfully completed any four-year secondary-school programme; or
b) passed the matura examination (splošna matura); or
c) passed the vocational matura examination (poklicna matura).
In the case of enrolment limitations, applicants shall be selected on the basis of:
- overall matura, vocational matura or final examination results: 60 %,
- overall results in the 3rd and 4th year of secondary school: 40 %.
“Transfer between study programmes” refers to a situation in which a student enrolled in a particular study programme does not complete it (i.e. discontinues education in the enrolled programme) and directly enrols into a higher year of a new study programme, whereby both the previous and the new programme must belong to the same Bologna cycle (level). When considering the possibility of transferring to a new study programme, the comparability of the programmes and the student’s completed study requirements in the previous programme are taken into account.
A candidate may enrol in a higher year of the higher education professional study programme in Wood Innovation for Sustainability in accordance with the transfer criteria if they are transferring from a related first-cycle study programme or a related non-Bologna undergraduate study programme (programmes adopted before 11 June 2004), provided that the following conditions are met:
- the candidate fulfils the requirements for admission to professionalhigher education study programme in Wood Innovation for Sustainability,
- the completion of the initial study programme which the candidate is transferring from ensures the acquisition of comparable competences to those of the professional higher education study programme in Wood Innovation for Sustainability, and
- other criteria in accordance with the Criteria for Transfers between Study Programmes are met (comparable curriculum of the study programme, completed study requirements of the candidate).
Individual applications for transfer shall be considered by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT. Apart from comparability between both fields of study, the committee shall also consider the comparability between the study programmes, in accordance with the Criteria for Transferring between Study Programmes.
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 in Wood Innovation for Sustainability.
In case of enrolment restrictions, applicants shall be selected on the basis of the average grade obtained during the study programme they are transferring from.
A student may progress to the next year if they accumulate at least 42 ECTS credits from the current year and complete all requirements from the previous year.
In special cases involving individual circumstances (such as illness or extraordinary situations), a student may be allowed to progress to the next year even with a lower number of ECTS credits. In such cases, the decision on enrollment is made by the Committee for Study and Student Affairs of UP FAMNIT.
A student who has not completed all the requirements specified by the study programme for progression to the next year may, in accordance with the provisions of the Higher Education Act, repeat a year once during their studies. If a student repeats a year, they are not entitled to extended student status (absolvent year), and their student status expires at the end of the 3rd year.
By progressing or repeating a year, a student retains student status and, consequently, the rights and benefits defined by law. In accordance with the law, a student may apply for an extension of student status, but for no more than one year.
In the 2nd and 3rd year, students choose a total of three elective courses, which may be either internal or external.
Internal elective courses are selected within the study programme. External elective courses may be chosen from accredited study programmes in Slovenia or abroad. External electives may also be selected from the pool of internal elective courses.
More information on elective courses is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).
In the 3rd year, students complete selected study obligations abroad within a mobility window worth 24 ECTS.
More information about the mobility window is available in the document “Curriculum” (see above).
In their 2nd and 3rd year of study, students must undertake practical training (continuous practical training) in the total of 24 ECTS:
- a 8,5-weeks-long (340 hours) practical training in the 2nd year of study (12 ECTS),
- a 8,5-weeks-long (340 hours) practical training in the 3rd year of study (12 ECTS).
The purpose of the practical training is to reinforce theoretical knowledge in a real working environment and to develop specific professional competences directly related to the workplace where the student completes their training. It also enables students to engage with real-life professional situations, take an active role in performing work tasks, and establish direct contact with potential future employers. The training takes place in companies or organisations within the wood industry sector.
General competences
- Digital competences: use of digital technologies in their work in the wood processing industry as well as for communication, collaboration and professional development.
- Sustainability competences: evaluation of sustainability, understanding circular economy, support for justice, promotion of nature, systems thinking, critical thinking, problem formulation, literacy for the future, adaptability, collective action, individual initiative.
- Communication and relationships: autonomy, (self)criticism, (self)reflexivity, creativity, developing a positive group atmosphere and good relations, knowledge and use of appropriate strategies to promote behavior, where zero tolerance for violence is clearly evident, where conflicts are resolved through mediation and the integrity of all participants in the process is protected, awareness of the ethical dimensions of one’s actions and taking them into account.
- Professional development competences: critical thinking, analysis and evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of one’s professional work and planning one’s own professional development; improving the quality of one’s work through self-evaluation and further education and training; critical evaluation of the consistency between theoretical principles and starting points and their implementation in practice.
- Organizational and leadership skills: successful planning and time management; mastering organizational and administrative tasks related to planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the work process; ability to work in a team and solve problems effectively; establishing a suitable work environment by using various work methods and strategies that stimulate mental activity.
- Intercultural competences: for personal fulfillment and development, active citizenship, social inclusion and employment, cooperation with the work and social environment (with and in society).
Subject-specific competences
- Expert knowledge of wood structure at the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
- Expert knowledge of wood bonding and production processes of various engineered wood products.
- Skills and knowledge of advanced wood processing technologies.
- Understanding the characteristics and operation of various wood-based construction systems.
- Basic skills in analyzing internal forces and moments in wooden beams and frames.
- Expert knowledge of wood modification technologies.
- Basic skills and knowledge of experimental data collection and analysis.
- Mastering basic methods of mathematical analysis, matrix and probability calculus.
- Basic skills in using statistical analysis methods.
- Basic knowledge in the field of chemistry – the basics of quantitative consideration of the properties and structure of substances and chemical processes, including the structure and electronic configuration of an atom, the type of chemical bonds, chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium and energy changes in chemical reactions.
- Skills and knowledge required to use data for informed business decision-making.
- Knowledge of business communication strategies and ability to use various communication technologies.
- Basic knowledge of business plans, business management and basic marketing concepts.
- Ability to use advanced digital tools and software to design sustainable wood products.
- Ability to incorporate sustainable design principles into the design of wood products.
- Expertise in digital prototyping techniques.
- Knowledge of design principles, including collaborative, generative and iterative processes in digital design.
- Understanding of digital modelling techniques to improve the design, efficiency, sustainability and profitability of wood products.
- Skills and knowledge required to design ergonomic furniture and to critically assess proposed ergonomic solutions.
- Ability to develop project ideas in the field of wood sector.
- Ability to use a sustainability assessment tool and understand policies related to sustainability.
- Understanding the values and working principles of the New European Bauhaus.
- Ability to evaluate projects with the compass of the New European Bauhaus.
- Distinguishing between individual professional and scientific terms from the field of wood science and technology in English.
Graduates can continue their studies in master’s programmes (second Bologna cycle) or enter the workforce. With the knowledge acquired, they will be able to work independently or collaboratively:
- as professional and technical associates in the wood-processing industry and construction sector – timber structures and building construction;
- as technical associates in research and development activities within companies or research institutions;
- as independent entrepreneurs, manufacturers, or consultants;
- as professional and technical associates in administrative bodies (ministries, inspection services, various agencies, municipal administrations).