Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After successful completion, the student is able to:

  1. Write a thesis plan proposal relevant to their field of studies.
  2. Demonstrate competence with information retrieval, academic writing, research ethics and other matters relevant for carrying out their MA thesis.
  3. Comprehend and apply in their thesis process the contents of the Master’s Thesis Guide of the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, including aims, planning, and process for completing MA thesis, and the thesis evaluation criteria.

Credits: 3

Schedule: 28.08.2023 - 01.09.2023

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Heidi Paavilainen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course informs and reminds students about and supports applying in the thesis their learnings in research methods, information retrieval, academic writing, research ethics, written and oral communication, project management and department thesis completion process. To complete the course, the students need to get their thesis topic and thesis plan proposal approved in their programmes/majors during the Period I. Please check details for the official approval procedure from your own programme/major.

    Thesis Plan Orientation is one of the four compulsory courses for all Master's students at the Department of Design.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Participation in teaching, pre- and in-course assignments. Thesis topic and proposal presented and approved by the programme/major.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course is taught online as an intensive teaching module during the Orientation Week (before Period I starts), including lectures and pre- and in-class assignments. 100% attendance in contact teaching is required. The course is completed in Period I with delivering a thesis topic and satisfying Thesis Plan Proposal in the student’s MA major/programme. 100% attendance requirement.

    Workload: 81 h

    • Contact teaching 15 h
    • Independent work 48
    • Thesis topic and thesis plan proposal presentation in the MA programme or major 1 h
    • Personal reflection 16 h
    • Course evaluation 1 h

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn I - Spring V
    2023-2024 Autumn I - Spring V

    Enrollment :

    Registration for courses: Sisu. Min. 5., max 160 students. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts