Harnessing Opportunities in Sustainable Business (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

The grade for the course is based on the competence shown in the final assignment and the group work. Exams form 80% of the grade, the group work forms 20%. Additionally, there are other mandatory assignments which are evaluated pass/fail.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course dates are: 07.01.2026 - 20.05.2026
The theme-specific learning assignments must be completed and returned during the course. Exam 1 is due until end of February, exam 2 until end of March and the group project assignment must be returned in April 2026. The retakes of the exams is possible and the exact dates will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Objective

By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Identify the key concepts of sustainable business and corporate responsibility.
Recognize and analyze the dimensions of sustainable business and their impact on decision-making.
Apply tools for monitoring and reporting corporate responsibility.
Identify opportunities offered by sustainable business and innovation.
Utilize creativity, innovation, and inclusivity in development

Competencies
Proactive development
Operating in a workplace
Sustainable development

Content

Sustainable Business, Corporate Responsibility, and Key Concepts
Dimensions of Sustainable Business: Economic, Environmental, and Social Responsibility
Impact of Dimensions on Decision-Making
Monitoring and Reporting Corporate Responsibility
Opportunities offered by sustainable business, including innovations and circular economy.

Materials

The course uses online materials, articles, videos, podcasts, etc., available in the learning environment as study materials

Teaching methods

The teaching during the course will proceed by themes.
Introduction to the themes and learning assignments
Independent study and theme-specific learning assignments
Two exams
Group project on in sustainable business possibilities.

Guidance will be available during the course as follows:
Introductions to themes and learning assignments
Guidance sessions 13.1. at 18, 17.2. at 17 and 24.3. at 18 o’clock.
Group-specific feedback on group project

The grade for the course is based on the competence shown in the final assignment and the group work. Exams form 80% of the grade, the group work forms 20%.
The theme-specific learning assignments must be completed and returned during the course. Exam 1 is due until end of February, exam 2 until end of March and the group project assignment must be returned in April 2026. The retakes of the exams is possible and the exact dates will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Employer connections

The course includes a learning assignment that emphasizes the visibility of sustainability themes in practical working life

Exam schedules

Exam 1 is due until end of February, exam 2 until end of March and the group project assignment must be returned in April 2026. The retakes of the exams is possible and the exact dates will be announced at the beginning of the course.

Completion alternatives

There are two options for crediting prior learning:
1. Substitution with previous higher education studies
This means replacing the course with studies completed elsewhere that have similar content. The crediting is applied for based on certificates or a transcript of records. Substitution requires content equivalence at EQF level 6. The crediting process is carried out in Peppi at your own university of applied sciences. You can only apply for crediting for entire courses. The student must contact their own teacher tutor. Crediting requires a guidance discussion, which must take place before the course begins. Instructions for submitting the application in Peppi can be found in your institution’s guidelines.
2. Substitution with other acquired competence
This means replacing the course with competence acquired in other ways that correspond to the course’s learning outcomes (e.g., work experience). Crediting requires proof of competence at EQF level 6. The crediting process is carried out in Peppi. You can only apply for crediting for entire courses. The student must contact their own teacher tutor.
Crediting requires a guidance discussion, which must take place before the course begins. Instructions for submitting the application in Peppi can be found in your institution’s guidelines.

Accreditation through work-based learning means acquiring the required competence for a degree through work and linking practical work to the theoretical foundation of the subject. In universities of applied sciences, this is at EQF level 6. The work-based learning arrangement must be agreed upon in advance with your teacher tutor and the responsible teacher.

Student workload

Altogether 135 hours:
Course materials, guidance, self-study 88 h
Other learning assignments 10 h
Exams and preparing for them 10 h
Group project and presenting it in video 27 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Tunnistat keskeisiä ammattikäsitteitä suppeasti. Etsit tietoa rajallisista tietolähteistä. Raportoit ohjeita pääasiassa noudattaen. Käytät ohjatusti keskeisiä oman alan toimintamalleja ja -menetelmiä. Suoriudut annetuista tehtävistä. Ymmärrät yhteistyötahojen merkityksen. Otat vastuuta omasta työskentelystä. Tarkastelet ja arvioit asioita palautteen perusteella omasta näkökulmastasi. Huomioit ammattialan eettiset periaatteet.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Käytät ammattikäsitteitä johdonmukaisesti. Kokoat monipuolisesti soveltuvaa tietoa ja hyödynnät sitä. Raportoit ohjeita täsmällisesti noudattaen. Käytät itsenäisesti keskeisiä oman alan toimintamalleja ja -menetelmiä sekä perustelet valintojasi. Vertailet yhteistyötahojen toimintaa. Tarkastelet ja arvioit asioita oppimasi perusteella erilaisista näkökulmista. Hyödynnät oppimaasi ammatillisen kasvun välineenä. Toimit ammattialan eettisten periaatteiden mukaisesti ja perustelet toimintaasi.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Sovellat ammattikäsitteitä monipuolisesti myös laajemmassa kontekstissa. Vertailet ja valitset kriittisesti tarkoituksenmukaista tietoa sekä perustelet valintojasi. Raportoit asiantuntevasti ja kattavasti ohjeita noudattaen. Sovellat keskeisiä oman alan toimintamalleja ja -menetelmiä sekä perustelet valintojasi eri näkökulmista. Kokeilet luovasti uudenlaisia toimintamalleja. Arvioit yhteistyötahojen vaikuttavuutta. Kehität ja ohjaat omaa toimintaa oppimasi perusteella. Hyödynnät tarkoituksenmukaisesti ammattialan eettisiä periaatteita myös eri konteksteissa.