Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture 13 June 2012 Degree regulations for the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture 1. PURPOSE Section 1 Purpose The degree regulations of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture are put in place in order to ensure the equal and just treatment and the protection of rights for all members of the academic community. Unless otherwise provided, these regulations shall apply to all the education leading to degrees provided at the school. 2. ORGANISATION OF EDUCATION LEADING TO A DEGREE Section 2 Degrees The Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, hereinafter referred to as the school, operates in the fields of art and design, and science and technology. In the field of art and design, the school awards the following degrees: 1) Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) 2) Master of Arts (Art and Design) 3) Doctor of Arts (Art and Design). In the field of science and technology, the school awards the following degrees: 1) Bachelor of Science (Architecture) 2) Master of Science (Architecture) or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture). 3) the pre-doctoral degree of Licentiate of Science (Architecture), Doctor of Science (Architecture) and Doctor of Philosophy. For the purposes of the present degree regulations, bachelor s degree refers only to bachelor s degrees earned at a university and master s degree only to master s degrees earned at a university. Section 3 Degree programmes and areas of specialisation The degrees of Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) and Bachelor of Science (Architecture) and Master of Science (Architecture)/ (Landscape Architecture) are pursued in the form of a degree programme. Each degree programme may provide education in several areas of specialisation. Each degree programme has a director in charge of the development of education, the implementation of the curriculum and the approval of the personal study plan of the student. 1
The degree programmes and areas of specialisation have been listed in appendix 1. Section 4 Transferring to pursue a Master of Arts (Art and Design) Students admitted to pursue both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in art and design may start the studies leading to a master's degree after the completion of the bachelor's degree. On application, the department may grant the student a right to study towards a Master of Arts (Art and Design) prior to the completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) provided that the student has no more than 20 uncompleted credits for the bachelor s degree at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and that the student is unable to start his/her master's degree studies without delay unless such a right is granted. The decision regarding the right to study rests with the head of the department coordinating the degree programme leading to a master's degree. Section 5 Transfer of degree programme within the school On reasonable grounds, students may be granted the right to transfer to another degree programme within the school. The student must append a personal study plan explaining the intended completion of the studies in the new degree programme, as well as any other appendices required by the department coordinating the receiving degree programme. The original degree programme will note the transfer in the personal study plan of the student on the basis of discussions with the student. To be eligible for a transfer to another degree programme, the student shall have demonstrated the knowledge and motivation required in the new degree programme by completing studies included in the degree programme applied for, and in any other manner required by the receiving department. Students transferring to another degree programme forfeit their rights to study towards their previous degree programme. If the transfer to another degree programme is granted, the studies pursued for the previous programme are counted towards the degree pursued in the new degree programme to as great an extent as possible. The decision regarding the transfer of degree programme rests with the head of the department coordinating the receiving degree programme. The above provisions on the transfer of degree programmes shall also apply to transfer to another area of specialisation. The provisions on the transfer of degree programme do not apply to Aalto programmes or or to transfer between the degree programmes in architecture and landscape architecture. Section 6 Research fields of doctoral degrees The research fields of the doctoral programme have been listed in Appendix 2. The director of the doctoral programme of the school is in charge of the planning, execution, assessment and development of the doctoral programme. 2
Changing the research field requires that the doctoral programme committee approves the new research proposal of the doctoral candidate and that both the receiving department and the field of research recommend the change. 3. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS Aims of the bachelor s degrees Section 7 The degree of Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) shall provide the students with 1) the theoretical and general knowledge as well as artistic and practical expertise necessary for professionals of art and design and knowledge of the basic research of the field, and the prerequisites to follow developments in the field; 2) the knowledge and skills needed for artistic work and the knowledge and skills needed for scientific thinking and the use of scientific methods; 3) knowledge and skills needed for the studies leading to a master's degree and for continuous learning; 4) adequate language and communication skills. The education shall be based on scientific research and artistic activity and professional practices in the field. Section 8 The degree of Bachelor of Science (Architecture) shall provide the students with 1) knowledge of the fundamentals of the studies included in the degree programme and prerequisites for following developments in fields requiring expertise in science and technology; 2) knowledge and skills needed for scientific thinking and the use of scientific methods and knowledge and skills needed for artistic work; 3) knowledge and skills needed for studies leading to a master s degree and for continuous learning; 4) knowledge and skills to understand and analyse the effects and potential of technology; 5) ability to cooperate and to participate in goal-oriented team work; 6) capacity for applying the acquired knowledge and skills to work; and (7) adequate language and communication skills. The education shall be based on scientific research and on the professional practices of the field, as well as on artistic activity. Structures of the bachelor s degrees Section 9 Structure of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) degree The extent of the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) degree shall be 180 credits. 3
The Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) includes the following study modules: Language and Communications Studies 15 cr Studies in Art and Theory 25 cr The basic and intermediate studies of the degree programme, 95 120 cr; the extent varies by degree programme and it is defined in the curriculum. A minor module or elective studies 20 45 cr; the extent varies by degree programme and it is defined in the curriculum. The extent of the bachelor s thesis for a Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) shall be 10 credits. In connection with the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) thesis, students take part in a bachelor s seminar which is included in the 10-credit thesis. Separate guidelines have been issued regarding the bachelor's thesis required for the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) degree. Section 10 Structure of the Bachelor of Science (Architecture) The extent of the Bachelor of Science (Architecture) shall be 180 credits. The Bachelor of Science (Architecture) includes the following study modules: General Studies module 80 cr Joint Programme Studies module 20 cr three basic modules 20+20+20 cr elective studies 10 cr a bachelor s thesis seminar and the associated bachelor s thesis, 10 cr and A separate guideline is issued on the bachelor s thesis for the Bachelor of Science (Architecture). Aims of the master s degrees Section 11 Aims of the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree The Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree shall provide the student with 1) the high level of expertise required for working in the field of art and design in terms of theoretical and other knowledge and artistic and practical knowledge; 2) knowledge and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work and knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods; 3) knowledge and skills needed for independently operating as an expert and developer of the field; 4) knowledge and skills needed for education leading to a Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) degree and 5) good language and communication skills. The education shall be based on scientific research and artistic activity and professional practices in the field. 4
Section 12 Aims of the Master of Science (Architecture) or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture) degree The education leading to a master s degree shall provide students with: 1) good overall knowledge of a major of the degree programme; 2) knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods and for continuous and flexible learning and skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work; 3) knowledge and skills to understand the problems of the field from the point of view of users and technical and social systems, as well as from that of the environment; 4) knowledge and skills needed for independently operating as an expert and developer of the field; 5) good language and communication skills and 6) knowledge and skills needed for scientific postgraduate education. The education shall be based on scientific research and the professional practices of fields requiring expertise in science and technology, and on artistic activity. In addition, the degree of Master of Science (Architecture) shall meet at least the requirements set forth in the Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7 September 2005) (see Appendix 3). Structures of the master s degrees Section 13 Structure of the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree The extent of the Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree shall be 120 credits. The Master of Arts (Art and Design) includes a minimum of 80 credits of advanced studies. Advanced studies include a 40-credit thesis. The degree of Master of Arts (Art and Design) includes a thesis seminar. The extent of advanced studies varies by degree programme and it is defined in the curriculum. The Master of Arts (Art and Design) includes 20 40 credits of either elective studies or minor studies. The extent of elective and minor studies varies by degree programme and it is defined in the curriculum. Separate guidelines have been issued regarding the master's thesis for a Master of Arts (Art and Design) degree. Section 14 Structure of the Master of Science (Architecture) or Master of Science (Landscape Architecture) degrees The extent of the Bachelor of Science (Architecture) / (Landscape Architecture) shall be 120 credits. The degrees include the following study modules: Scientific Method Studies 10 cr three modules of which at least one is an advanced module of the major of the degree programme and no more than one may be a basic module, 20 + 20 + 20 5
elective studies 20 cr master s thesis 30 cr The intermediate studies and advanced studies are included in the modules. The structure of a degree programme organised in cooperation with other Aalto University schools or other universities may on reasonable grounds differ from that presented in subsection 1 above. In such cases, also the teaching may be organised in a manner deviating from the standard module structure. Separate guidelines have been issued regarding the master's thesis for the Master of Science (Architecture). Language studies Section 15 Language studies in the bachelor s degree The Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) includes the following: 3 credits in the language in which the student has been educated (Finnish or Swedish) 3 credits in the second national language of Finland (Finnish/Swedish) 6 credits in a foreign language Students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad shall earn: 3 credits in Finnish or Swedish 6 credits in a foreign language The Bachelor of Science (Architecture) includes: The oral and written proficiency in the language in which one has been educated (Finnish/Swedish) is demonstrated through a maturity essay written in connection with a bachelor s thesis seminar and an oral presentation on one s bachelor s thesis as well as acting as an opponent for another. 2 credits in the second national language of Finland (Finnish/Swedish) 3 credits in a foreign language Students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or who have been educated abroad shall earn: 3 credits in a foreign language 2 credits for other language studies Section 16 Language studies in the master s degree Students who have already demonstrated their language proficiency for a bachelor s degree are not required to demonstrate it again for the master's degree. All other students are required to take language studies pursuant to Section 15 in addition to the studies towards the master s degree. Students pursuing a Master of Arts (Art and Design) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 6 credits in one language. 6
Students pursuing a Master of Science (Architecture)/(Landscape Architecture) and educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or educated abroad shall earn 3 credits in one language. Section 17 Maturity essay The maturity essay is written both for the bachelor s and master s degree. The maturity essay serves to demonstrate conversance with the topic of the thesis and the proficiency of the student in Finnish or Swedish. If the language proficiency has already been demonstrated in a maturity essay written for a bachelor's degree and the demonstration has been noted in the degree certificate, the maturity essay written for the master's level serves to demonstrate only conversance with the thesis topic. Students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or students educated abroad who have demonstrated their language proficiency in a maturity essay written for a bachelor's degree shall write the master s level maturity essay to demonstrate conversance with the thesis topic. In such cases, the maturity essay in written in Finnish, Swedish or English. Degrees of Licentiate of Science (Architecture), Doctor of Arts (Art and Design), Doctor of Science (Architecture) and Doctor of Philosophy Section 18 Aims of the doctoral degree The aims of the doctoral degree are that the students: 1) become well-versed in their field of research and its social significance and gain knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods independently and critically and to produce new scientific knowledge; 2) become conversant with the development, basic problems and research methods of their field; as well as 3) gain such knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines related to their field of research as enables them to follow developments in them. In the field of art and design, the aim of doctoral education may be, in addition to the aims listed in subsections 1 3, that the student gains the knowledge and skills for independently conceiving methods of artistic creation or creating products, objects or works which fulfil high artistic demands. In the fields of architecture and landscape architecture, the aim of doctoral education may be, in addition to the aims listed in subsections 1 3, that the student acquires a deep understanding of the significance artistic expression in defining the research question. Section 19 Requisite components of the Licentiate of Science (Architecture) To earn the degree of Licentiate of Science (Architecture), the student shall: 1) complete the required postgraduate studies; and 2) write a licentiate thesis. 7
Section 20 Requisite components of the doctoral degree Students admitted to a doctoral programme shall: 1. complete the required postgraduate studies; 2. demonstrate independent and critical thinking in the field of research 3. write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in public. Section 21 Structure of the doctoral degree Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) The extent of the Doctor of Arts (Art and Design) degree shall be 60 credits and a doctoral dissertation. The structure of the studies is: 1. General Research Studies 14 18 cr 2. Studies in the Research Field 14 16 cr 3. Studies Supporting Research Work 26 32 cr Students admitted into the doctoral programme may be assigned prerequisite studies or other supplementary studies. If a student admitted to the doctoral programme has previously completed a licentiate or doctoral degree in art and design or in another field, the extent of the required studies shall be confirmed by the director of the doctoral programme. Separate guidelines have been issued regarding the doctoral dissertation. Doctor of Science (Architecture) and Doctor of Philosophy The extent of the Doctor of Science (Architecture) and Doctor of Philosophy degree shall be 60 credits and a doctoral dissertation. Those admitted to doctoral education shall: 1) pursue studies that deal with preparation for scientific work, the application of research results and the dissemination of research findings (5 15 cr); 2) gain a broader knowledge of a research field than required for bachelor s or master s degrees (30 40 cr), and 3) become conversant with at least one subject area that is relevant to their thesis. (10 20 cr). Students admitted into the doctoral programme may be assigned prerequisite studies or other supplementary studies. If a student admitted to a doctoral programme has previously completed a licentiate or doctoral degree in technology or in another field, the extent of the required studies shall be confirmed by the director of the doctoral programme. Separate guidelines have been issued regarding the doctoral dissertation. 8
4. CURRICULA Section 22 Planning the curriculum The curriculum shall be planned in a manner that allows students to complete their degree within the normative duration of studies specified in the Universities Act (558/2009). The curriculum is confirmed annually. Section 23 Changing a confirmed curriculum The department in charge of the teaching must notify the Student Services of the school of all changes necessary to the curriculum without delay. Minor changes may be made to the curriculum by decision of the head of the department in charge of the teaching. Changes not considered minor include changes to the following details: extent, timing, learning outcomes, key contents, teaching methods, language of instruction or grading scale. 5. ENROLMENT Section 24 Enrolment as an attending student in the first academic year for studying towards a Bachelor or Master of Arts (Art and Design) Students admitted to pursue a bachelor s or master s degree in art and design shall enrol as an attending student in their first academic year. Enrolment as a non-attending student is possible only for special reasons, which include conscription or non-military service, maternity or parental leave or illness. The right to enrol as a non-attending student must be applied for in writing. 6. STUDIES Section 25 Registration for courses Students shall register for a course in advance in a way determined by the school. Any exceptional registration times and methods are instructed in more detail in the curriculum. The number of students admitted on each course is specified at the latest on the starting date of the course registration. If everyone registered on the course cannot be admitted, specific rules for the order of admission are provided in the curriculum. If no other order of preference is specified, priority shall be given to students who are required to take the course as part of the obligatory or alternative studies included in the degree programme, and the remaining student places shall be filled in the order of registration. Students who are unable to attend a course they have registered for shall cancel their registration prior to the end of the registration period. 9
Section 26 Examinations The school arranges common examinations related to its studies. The examination dates of each term are published prior to the start of the term. Section 27 Language of study attainment The language of instruction and degrees of the school shall be Finnish and Swedish. The school offers the possibility of earning a master s degree and a licentiate or doctoral degree in English in accordance with the decision made in connection with the establishment of the degree programme. The school may decide to use other languages of instruction in addition to Finnish and Swedish. When the language of instruction of a course is English, students are required to also complete the study attainment primarily in English. In examinations, students shall have the right to use both oral and written Finnish or Swedish or the language in which the course was given, if the course was lectured in a third language, unless otherwise provided in the curriculum. Students shall have the right to request for the examination questions to be provided in both official languages of Finland. The decision on the right to use a third language rests with the school. Section 28 Course arrangements The courses shall be arranged in a manner that allows students to take them in a purposeful order without interruptions and to efficiently pursue their studies. The specific evaluation criteria used on the course shall be communicated to the students no later than at the start of the course. The examinations related to the courses shall be organised as either written or oral examinations. A possibility for completing the final study attainment related to teaching shall be organised at least twice per academic year for each course. The mode of retaking a failed study attainment may be different from the mode of completion of the first time. The possibilities for retaking a study attainment shall be organised in a manner that leaves the student sufficient time for preparing for the retake of the study attainment. The number of possibilities for retaking a course included in the current curriculum shall not be limited. Students have a right to try to raise a grade assigned for a completed course twice. In such cases, the highest grade obtained for the study attainment shall apply. 10
7. STUDY GUIDANCE Section 29 Personal study plan Together with the director of the degree programme or a person designated by the director, the student prepares a personal study plan serving as the guideline for his/her studies. The personal study plan is checked annually. Including other studies than those of the degree programme into the degree requires their inclusion into the personal study plan of the student. In the doctoral programme, the doctoral candidate and the supervising professor prepare a personal study plan for the student at the start of their studies. The plan shall be confirmed by the director of the doctoral programme. Section 30 Tutor Each student shall have a tutor teacher who is in charge of supporting and guiding the students in their studies and following up on the progress of their studies. In the doctoral programme, the director of the programme appoints one of the professors of the research field as the supervising professor of the doctoral studies of the student and the doctoral programme committee assigns a minimum of one thesis advisor for the student. 8. WORK PLACEMENT Section 31 Work placement The bachelor s and master s programmes may include a voluntary or obligatory work placement. Detailed provisions on the work placement are set forth in the degree requirements. The possibility of including a work placement in the degree is determined in the curriculum. The placement and its contents are agreed upon in the personal study plan. 9. EVALUATION OF STUDY ATTAINMENTS Section 32 Validity of study attainment A study attainment expires once 10 years have passed since its completion. After that, the course may not be included in the degree as such. The transfer of a course as part of the degree and any supplementary study attainments is done at the discretion of the director of the degree programme when s/he approves the personal study plan of the student. The obligatory language studies included in the degree do not expire. Section 33 Grading scale for study attainments Study attainments are graded on a scale of 0 5. On reasonable grounds, study attainments may be graded on a Pass/Fail scale. The theses for the Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design) and 11
Bachelor of Science (Architecture) and Master of Science (Architecture) or (Landscape Architecture) degrees are evaluated on a scale of 0 5. The maturity essay is evaluated on a Pass/Fail scale. The licentiate theses and doctoral dissertations are evaluated using the grades Pass with Distinction, Pass, or Fail. 10. STUDENT FEEDBACK Section 34 Student feedback Feedback on teaching is collected systematically. Student feedback is used for the development of teaching. Students have the right to give feedback on all the courses organised by the school and on the supervision of their theses. Giving feedback is an element of all the courses and thesis advising processes organised by the school. 11. TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS Section 35 Transitional provisions Transitional provisions for the field of art and design Students who have started to pursue their bachelor s, master s, or doctoral degree prior to 1 August 2011 may complete their degree in accordance with the previous degree requirements until 31 July 2015. The grading scale for doctoral dissertations shall apply to the evaluation of dissertations submitted for preliminary examination on or after 1 January 2012. Dissertations submitted for preliminary examination prior to that date will be evaluated using the grading scale in force prior to 1 August. Transitional provisions for the field of science and technology (Architecture and landscape architecture) Notwithstanding the present degree regulations repealing those of the School of Engineering as regards the fields of architecture and landscape architecture, the provisions of the latter regarding theses shall apply as appropriate until the issue of separate thesis guidelines. 12
12. RULES REPEALED Section 36 Rules repealed: These degree regulations repeals the degree regulations of the School of Art and Design in force as of 1 August 2011, as well as the degree regulations of the School of Engineering in force on 31 December 2011 with respect to the students of the fields of architecture and landscape architecture. 13
Appendix 1 Degree programmes and areas of specialisation Degree programmes and areas of specialisation in the field of art and design The school has the following degree programmes leading to the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Art and Design): 1) Bachelor's Degree Programme in Film and Television Areas of specialisation: - Documentary Film - Screenwriting for Film and Television - Film and Television Directing - Film Editing - Directing - Cinematography - Sound Recording and Sound Design 2) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Design for Theatre, Film and Television Areas of specialisation: - Film and Television Production Design - Scenography - Costume Design 3) Bachelor's Degree Programme in Ceramic and Glass Design 4) Bachelor's Degree Programme in Interior Architecture and Furniture Design 5) Bachelor's Degree Programme in Textile Art and Design 6) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Industrial Design 7) Bachelor's Degree Programme in Fashion and Clothing Design 8) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Art Education 9) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Graphic Design 10) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Photography The school has the following degree programmes leading to the degree of Master of Arts (Art and Design): 1) Master's Degree Programme in Film and Television Areas of specialisation: - Documentary Film - Screenwriting for Film and Television - Film and Television Directing - Film Editing - Directing - Cinematography - Sound Recording and Sound Design 2) Master's Degree Programme in Design for Theatre, Film and Television Areas of specialisation: - Film and Television Production Design - Scenography - Costume Design 3) Master s Degree Programme in New Media - areas of specialisation: New Media and Game Design 14
5) Master s Degree Programme in Sound in New Media 6) Master s Degree Programme in Applied Art and Design 7) Master's Degree Programme in Spatial Design 8) Master s Degree Programme in Furniture Design 9) Master's Degree Programme in Textile Art and Design 10) Master's Degree Programme in Industrial and Strategic Design 11) Master s Degree Programme in Fashion and Clothing Design 12) Master s Degree Programme in Visual Culture 13) Master s Degree Programme in Creative Business Management 14) Master s Degree Programme in Art Education 15) Master s Degree Programme in epedagogy Design 16) Master s Degree Programme in Graphic Design 17) Master s Degree Programme in Photography 18) Master s Degree Programme in Fine Arts 19) Master s Degree Programme in Environmental Art 20) Master's Degree Programme in Visual Journalism 21) Master s Degree Programme in Curating, Mediating and Managing Art Degree programmes in the field of architecture 1) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Architecture 2) Bachelor s Degree Programme in Landscape Architecture Joint master s programmes of Aalto University The joint master's programmes of Aalto University and the degrees awarded by them are: 1) Master s Degree Programme in Creative Sustainability - Master of Arts (Art and Design) Master of Science (Architecture) 2) Master s Degree Programme in International Design Business Management - Master of Arts (Art and Design) Appendix 2 Research fields Research fields of art and design 1) Film and Television 2) Graphic Design 3) Scenography 4) Design 5) Contemporary Art 6) Art Education 7) New Media 8) Photography 9) Visual Culture 15
Research fields of science and technology 1) History and Theory of Architecture 2) Building Design 3) Urban Planning and Design 4) Landscape Architecture Appendix 3 The Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (7 September 2005) On Into: into.aalto.fi >School of Arts, Design and Architecture> Study Regulations) 16