masters concept structure language calendar	This page deals with the fundamentals of the MUNDUS URBANO masters course: its justification, organization and operational conditions.
concept
justification	Urbanization processes are accelerating all over the world at a scale never seen before and – as a consequence of Globalization – also in a highly complex social and economic system. Conventional wisdom of urban planning is unable to cope with the evolving problems, which call for new, unconventional and interdisciplinary approaches. The highest urbanization rates are to be observed in the so-called Developing Countries, where least professional know-how in managing urban development exists today, and where the need for related capacity building and international cooperation is evident.
focus	The double degree master course MUNDUS URBANO contributes to capacity building in urban development planning especially in countries of the South and the East. It places a second focus on rules and practices of international cooperation projects, where the unsatisfied demand for qualified experts is evident and in which European culture, politics and professional knowledge remain a key element. Finally, the MUNDUS URBANO course chooses a highly interdisciplinary approach combining physical planning, economic and social development aspects, which all impact equally on the fate of cities. Especially professional staff in a leadership positions – like a director of a municipal planning office or a consultant working in a cooperation project (typical careers for graduates from this Master course) – need to develop the capacity to comprehensively understand urban development processes and to conceive possible strategies for intervention.
internationalization	As urbanization processes are highly influenced by the effects of proceeding Globalization (like the importance of city marketing, just to mention on example), the international composition of both academic staff and students are considered a sine qua no requirement. The particular organizational set-up of the MUNDUS URBANO course, involving a large number of distinguished international lecturers, allows drawing together a unique body of expertise that no single university in the world could offer with its home academic staff alone. The international composition of lecturers and students combined with the rotation among in teaching institutions in different countries provides another useful secondary effect as it helps the students to built up their personal world-wide professional network which they will need in the outlined working context later on.
life experience	Last but not least the inclusion of a field study or internship in the curriculum is worth mentioning. Many students have never truly perceived the day-to-day living conditions of a target population living in the poor neighbourhoods in less industrialized countries, which generally represent a majority of the urban population in the South. Such an experience can be acquired by means of a field study. Equally, young university teachers may never have worked outside academia and will widen their horizon during a mandatory internship. European course participants preparing themselves for employment within international co-operation programs will need to prove field and country experience as an indispensable precondition before being accepted. In most cases, the field study may also set the foundation to a subsequent PhD study in Europe, for which the degree awarded after successful completion of the Master ccourse provides the formal requirements.
objectives	In conclusion, the main objective of this Master course is to prepare both, professionals and academics, for critically analyzing and assessing the growing problems in urban areas internationally and to increase their capacity to develop appropriate solutions in terms of architecturally, socially, economically and ecologically sustainable urban development.
structure
	The first year of the Master consists of a keystone course dedicated to an integral understanding of space, society and technology in urban development in the context of proceeding globalization. It is taught at Darmstadt University (Germany) and is geared towards the capability to conceive, oversee and evaluate comprehensive urban projects in the sense of sustainable development. The second study year provides scope for further specializations in a field of knowledge other than the student's first university degree. The resulting double qualification allows a graduate from this course to subsequently fill a professional niche unattended by the conventional university system. The specialization options - always linked to international cooperation as a common denominator - include: (A) Development economics, taught at the Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata in Rome (B) Sustainable Emergency Architecture, at the Universidad Internacional de Catalunya in Barcelona (C) Urban social challenges - taught at the Université Pierre-Mendès-France in Grenoble The remainder part of Year Two foresees an off-campus experience (internship or field research), a possible shorter stay at a non-EU partner university and the submission thesis (or a final exam in the case of Rome).
language
	English is the official language of tuition in all participating consortium courses. A number of elective courses are taught in the national language (German in Darmstadt, Spanish/Catalan in Barcelona; Italian in Rome, French in Grenoble) students. All consortium universities offer introductory courses to MUNDUS URBANO students for learning the local language and to enable them to communicate on simple matters in the guest country. All exams are in English language.
calendar
	MUNDUS URBANO courses start in October every year. The beginning of courses in Year Two varies according to the academic calendar of the university chosen by the student. Submission and defense of the Masters thesis (or final exams in the case of Tor Vergata University) are due in July of year Two...