Curriculum design glossary
Below you will find definitions of the terms used in these curriculum design instructions.
Curriculum design practices at Aalto University
The goal of curriculum design is a programme that helps students acquire the competence they will need in their field in the future and to acquire it within the target time frame. On this page, you can acquaint yourself with the Aalto University practices, processes, actors and roles involved in curriculum design.
The aim of the Aalto University curriculum design is to support students in gaining the competencies they need to meet the future needs of their field and do so within the target time frame set for their degree. The backbone of a high-quality curriculum is a clearly defined programme aim and intended learning outcomes derived from it, along with aligned teaching that supports the achievement of those outcomes. The two-year curriculum period allows the continual development of programmes, while also permitting extensive reforms, when such needs are recognised by the programme or school.
Curriculum design consists of four processes: managing curriculum design at the university and school levels, developing the programme curriculum, composing the curriculum and making the related decisions, and planning the teaching offered.
Guidelines and statutes guiding curriculum design
The university’s curriculum design is guided by the university’s strategy, national statutes, and European acts and enactments. Curriculum design is also guided by other Aalto regulations, such as the Aalto University General Regulations on Teaching and Studying (OOS) and other relevant decisions and guidelines.
| Finnish statues and European acts and enactments that guide curriculum design |
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| (PDF) |
| Regulations, policies and guidelines for curriculum design at Aalto University |
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| The university strategy and the strategy implementation plans |
| The Degree Regulations and the General Regulations on Teaching and Studying |
| Decisions affecting the curriculum:, |
| University Academic Affairs Committee guidelines on preparation of programmes and curricula: Meeting 16 May 2017, Meeting 10 December 2013, Meeting 20 November 2012, Meeting 30 August 2011, Meeting 11 May 2010 |
| Aalto University Language Guidelines: Guidelines on the languages of the degrees and instruction |
| Goals for the curriculum design work |
| Curriculum information for approval concerning programmes and study modules,courses, teaching periods, making changes to currently valid curriculum and the curriculum preparation timetable |
Stages of curriculum preparation
Managing curriculum design at the university and school levels: Our goal is to safeguard a solid foundation for curriculum development. Such a foundation is made up of the principles and goals that guide the work, a functioning process, support to meet the needs of academic staff, and continually improving the process. The goals guiding the curricula are set at the levels of the university, schools and programmes based on the university strategy and the development needs identified in the programme. The goals are outlined by the Learning Steering Group (LeSG) under the leadership of the vice president. The school academic affairs committee and vice dean for education guide the work done by the degree programmes and may issue school-specific guidelines.
Developing the programme curriculum: The goal of the process is a programme that helps students acquire meaningful learning for the future and to do so within the target time frame. This development work, guided by the university and school guidelines and the assessment of the programme, is a joint effort between the programme director, teachers, students and stakeholders. Any interdependencies are taken into account before decision-making by sharing information on plans before decision-making.
Curriculum composition and decision-making: Our aim is to produce and publish an approved curriculum. The decision-making on curricula follows a jointly agreed timetable. The persons in charge of the degree programmes provide the curriculum basic information, while the teachers provide the descriptions of the study units and study unit implementations. Learning Services supports the programmes in data collection to ensure that the curricula contain the necessary information. The curricula are confirmed by the academic affairs committees.
Planning the teaching offered: The aim is to plan the implementation and timing of the teaching so that it supports the graduation of students within the target time set for their degree.
| Document | Purpose | Preparation and decision-making |
|---|---|---|
| Goals of the curriculum design work | Steering the curriculum design in line with the strategy | Preparation by LeSG. Approval by vice president |
| Programme development targets | Filling in the outlines of and guiding the programme’s own work | Prepared by director of degree programme and programme development group. No formal decision-making. |
| Description of programme purpose | Directing the preparation of the curriculum and e.g. drafting marketing texts | Prepared by director of degree programme and programme development group. No formal decision-making. |
| Draft of intended learning outcomes and programme and minor degree requirements | Sharing information within the university about upcoming changes in programmes, majors and minors before the decision-making, quality assurance | Information prepared by director of degree programme and programme development group. LES coordinates and compiles all the information. Degree programme committee or the equivalent discusses according to the school’s practices. No formal decision-making |
| A summary of the selection of major and minor subjects or corresponding study modules | Sharing information within the university about significant planned changes in the study module selection and in the basic information of majors and minors before the decision-making. Enabling the finishing work to be done on the programme degree requirements and awareness of dependencies. | Information prepared by the persons in charge of the majors and minors. LES coordinates and compiles all the information. Degree programme committee or the equivalent discusses the selection according to the school’s practices. No formal decision-making |
| Study units offered by the teaching unit in the next curriculum period | Sharing information within the university about planned changes in the study unit selection before the decision-making. Enabling the finishing work to be done on the programme degree requirements and awareness of dependencies. | Information prepared by department or other unit. LES coordinates and compiles all the information. Degree programme committee or the equivalent discusses the selection according to the school’s practices. No formal decision-making |
| Summary of significant changes in the study units. | Sharing information within the university about significant planned changes in the study units before the decision-making. Enabling the finishing work to be done on the programme degree requirements and awareness of dependencies. | Information prepared by department or other unit. LES coordinates and compiles all the information. Degree programme committee or the equivalent discusses the selection according to the school’s practices. No formal decision-making |
| Update of the descriptions of study units and study unit implementations | The finishing work on the programme and minor degree requirements | Prepared by the teacher in Curriculum Planner |
| Date and location preferences for teaching and other needs as a basis for planning the timetable | Serves as a basis for planning the timetable | Prepared by the teacher in Curriculum Planner |
| Intended learning outcomes and degree requirements of the programmes, majors and minors | Guides students in planning their studies. Published in the Student Guide. | Director of degree programme and person in charge of the subject are responsible. LES coordinates the review and the finishing work. Degree programme committee or the equivalent deliberates the selection according to the school’s practices. Approval is given by the school’s academic committee or the University Academic Affairs Committee. |
| Descriptions of study units and study unit implementations | Guides students in planning their studies. Published in Sisu. | Responsibility lies with the teacher. LES coordinates the review and the finishing work. Degree programme committee or the equivalent discusses the matter according to the school’s practices. Approval is given by the school academic affairs committee or the University Academic Affairs Committee. |
Key changes related to the curriculum, i.e. additions, deletions and significant changes in study units and study modules, are coordinated as part of the curriculum design process. Programmes and the units offering teaching should reserve enough time for collaborative planning. The aim of the centralised collection of additions, deletions, and significant changes is to ensure that programmes have sufficiently detailed information about the teaching offered for planning the degree requirements before the confirmation of curricula.
Below you will find information on when it is possible to establish and discontinue study modules and study units, as well as what information about establishing, discontinuing and making significant changes must be reported.
Study modules
Planned changes to the selection of majors, minors and equivalent study modules, that is:
- new study modules to be established
- study modules that will be discontinued, and
- significant changes in the basic information of study modules, i.e. changes in their scope, language, prerequisites (‘compulsory prerequisites’ in Sisu) and for minor subjects, also changes in their target groups, restrictions, quotas, prioritisation policies, and application procedures.
are compiled into a summary by each unit and shared within the university. The basic information on new study modules is given at this stage as necessary for setting up the modules in Sisu. LES compiles the summary and shares the information between the units.
Establishing and discontinuing study modules
A new study unit for a new degree programme, a minor or an equivalent new study module may enter into force from the beginning of the academic year.
The discontinuation of study modules must take into account students in whose personal study plans (HOPS) the module was confirmed before the discontinuation took effect. These students must have the opportunity to complete the module within the approved time of studies remaining to them. Students may not choose to start completing a module that has been discontinued.
Study units
Changes planned to study units and their implementations, that is:
- new study units to be established
- study units to be discontinued
- significant changes in the basic information about study units and study unit implementations, such as changes to the teaching period of the study unit implementation, prioritisation criteria for registration, the compulsory prerequisites, the language of instruction, and the language of learning.
are compiled into a summary by each unit and shared within the university. LES compiles the summary and shares the information between the units.
Establishing Establishing and discontinuing study units
The discontinuation of study units that are compulsory or alternative under a programme or minor may take effect only at the start of a two-year curriculum period. The discontinuation of elective study units may take effect at the start of the academic year.
When discontinuing a compulsory or an alternative study unit included in a programme or minor, the programme or minor and the department or unit responsible for the study unit must ensure that the studies of students who have selected the study unit in their personal study plans (HOPS) will not be delayed because of the discontinuation. For example, a way to ensure this is to make sure that the students who have selected the study unit can select another, alternative one during the same term; or complete the discontinued study unit in the following academic year by e.g. taking an exam; or complete a substitute study unit; or complete the discontinued study unit in another, individually arranged way.
Changes to a currently valid curriculum
Curricula are valid for a period of two academic years. They are not meant to be changed during the two-year period. Students should be able to rely on the predictability of the curriculum, e.g. that the studies required for the degree and teaching are offered as described in the curriculum for as long as the curriculum is valid.
As a rule, no changes may be made to a curriculum during the two-year period when it is valid. These include changes to the intended learning outcomes and degree requirements of the programmes and study modules, as well as changes to the descriptions of study units and study unit implementations. At times, changes are unavoidable and justified. This section discusses what kinds of changes are possible and how the matter is decided.
Long-term strategic development of the programmes and careful resource planning by the units is the starting point for ensuring that unexpected needs for change will not occur. It is also important to engage a broad range of academic staff in the curriculum design, so that ideas for improvements and initiatives are heard in time to be included in the process. A good practice is to begin the planning work by holding a meeting for the whole unit, and thereafter regularly report (e.g. in departmental meetings) on the progress of the work and on upcoming stages.
The units must also ensure that particularly the key study units of their programmes do not depend on a single academic person in charge. Planning the programmes, study modules and selection of study units offered should take into account any known information concerning new recruitments and other changes.
You can find detailed information on the curriculum details for programmes and study modules at Curriculum information about programmes and study modules.
The information on the responsible persons will be updated in the curriculum if changes occur. In other respects, the basic information of the programmes and study modules and the intended learning outcomes will remain the same throughout the curriculum period. It is possible to make such additions to the contents of a study module that do not adversely affect the status of students who are already pursuing studies in the study module. In practice, therefore, study units that fall into the category of alternative studies may be added to the study module.
| Information to be changed | Schedule of change | Decision-making authority |
|---|---|---|
| Basic information | ||
| Professor in charge of programme | As necessary | Dean or other person assigned in the school bylaws or the degree regulations |
| Person in charge of study module | As necessary | Dean or other person assigned in the school bylaws or the degree regulations |
| Other changes to basic information | Not possible | - |
| Intended learning outcomes and degree requirements | ||
| Adding alternative study unit to the degree requirements of a study module (in cases where the module already had alternative studies available) | As necessary | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Other changes to the degree requirements of a programme or study module | Not possible | - |
| Changes to intended learning outcomes | Not possible | - |
| Selection of study modules | ||
| Establishment of a new minor or equivalent study module | Decision as necessary, enters force at start of academic year | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
| Establishing new major or other study module to an existing programme | Not possible | - |
| Establishing new major or other study module to a new programme | In connection with the programme’s first curriculum | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
| Discontinuing a major, minor or other study module | Decision as necessary, enters force at start of curriculum period | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
You can find detailed information on the curriculum information about study units at Curriculum information about study units and study unit implementations.
The information on the responsible persons will be updated in the curriculum if changes occur. The possibilities of making changes to the basic information and descriptions of study units is limited; as a rule, any changes to these take effect from the beginning of the academic term following the decision.
The timing of the study unit implementations at the level of teaching periods and the language information of each implementation are, in principle, permanent. If a change in the timing or language information of an implementation is necessary, it must be ensured that the change does not cause delays in studies or jeopardise the students’ possibility of completing studies in the national languages of Finland in areas of study where Aalto University has a statutory educational responsibility. The possibilities of making changes to the descriptions of the study unit implementations (such as study or assessment methods) are limited; as a rule, any changes to these take effect from the beginning of the academic term following the decision.
| Information to be changed | Schedule of change | Decision-making authority |
|---|---|---|
| Basic information and descriptions | ||
| Responsible teacher of the study unit | As necessary | Head of department or as decided by unit |
| Intended learning outcomes and content | The intended learning outcomes or contents of the study unit cannot be substantially changed in the course of the curriculum period. However, if a change is needed, it should be done by the end of the academic term preceding the next study unit implementation. | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
| Possible languages of study attainments | Only additions possible | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
| Other curriculum information of the study unit | By the end of the term preceding the study unit implementation | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’ |
| Other information collected on study units for curriculum design | As necessary | According to the unit’s practices |
| Study unit name, code, scope, level | Not possible | - |
| Information on study unit implementation | ||
| Adding a study unit implementation to curriculum | As necessary | Decision by teacher or head of department or academic decision-making, depending on the unit’s practices. |
| Removing a study unit implementation from curriculum | As a rule not possible. If removing a study unit implementation is necessary, it must be ensured that the change does not compromise the students’ smooth progress of studies or the possibility of graduating within the target time, while also considering sufficient possibilities for studying in the national languages of Finland in areas of study where Aalto University has a statutory educational responsibility. | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Language of instruction, supplementary language of instruction and languages of learning for study unit implementations offered in a specific teaching period | As a rule, only additions are possible. If changing any of these is necessary to safeguard the provision of teaching, it must be ensured that the change does not compromise the student’s smooth progress of studies or the possibility of graduating within the target time, while also considering sufficient possibilities for studying in the national languages of Finland in areas of study where Aalto University has a statutory educational responsibility. | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Responsible teacher or other teacher of the study unit implementation | As necessary | Head of department or as decided by unit |
| Other curriculum information of the study unit implementation | By the end of the term preceding the study unit implementation | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Study unit selection | ||
| Adding a study unit to curriculum | As necessary | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Discontinuing a study unit that is a degree requirement in a programme or minor | Decision as necessary, enters force at start of curriculum period | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
| Discontinuing a study unit that is not a degree requirement in any programme or minor | Decision as necessary, enters force at start of academic year | Academic decision-making: see ‘Preparing and decision-making on changes’. |
Decision-making authority rests with the academic affairs committee that approves the curriculum. Changes are prepared in the same way as in the case of a new curriculum: the degree programme committee or other body that submits the curriculum to the academic committee for approval is the body that submits proposed changes to a curriculum that is in effect.
In addition, the responsible academic and vice dean for education must be in favour of the change.
- In changes involving programmes or study modules, the academic person responsible is the director of the degree programme or person in charge of the major or minor.
- In changes involving study units, the academic person responsible is either the head of department or the professor in charge of the programme or major or minor, depending on the unit’s practices.
Other instructions related to this topic
Curriculum development
The aim of curriculum design is a programme that helps students acquire the competence they will need in their field in the future and to acquire it within the target time frame. In this page, we have described the stages of curriculum development and instructions for each stage. You can find also methods, tools and working templates to support the co-development and carry out each stage.
To the main page Curriculum design at Aalto University
Curriculum design at Aalto University
Aalto University’s curriculum design guidelines and schedule aims at supporting sustainable, future led degree programmes.