Enrolment options

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

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify and utilise version control protocols.
  2. Explore and use web development tools to build a simple website that documents their project development.
  3. Demonstrate and describe the processes used in computer-assisted design (CAD) with 2D and 3D software.
  4. Demonstrate and describe parametric 2D modelling processes.
  5. Demonstrate and describe the processes involved in computer-controlled cutting.
  6. Demonstrate and describe the processes of programming microcontrollers.
  7. Apply design methods and production processes in 3D printing and 3D scanning.
  8. Critically evaluate the applications and impilactions of digital fabrication technology on a general level.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 08.01.2025 - 20.02.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Matti Niinimäki, Krisjanis Rijnieks

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: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course is one of three Digital Fabrication courses offered by Aalto Media Lab and Aalto Fab Lab. These courses run parallel to the global Fab Academy lectures and follow the same distributed educational model. This first course in the series introduces the essential skills and knowledge in digital fabrication with a focus on creating prototypes, products, and machines that include embedded electronics.

    The students learn the basic skills in computer-controlled cutting, 3D printing, 3D scanning, and electronics production. The course also introduces essential project management and version control tools and skills that are needed to document the learning process and manage project development.

    More details on the course content can be found in the course syllabus for each implementation of the course.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Weekly assignments and documentation

    Minimum 80% attendance. See MyCourses for more detailed information on evaluation criteria.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course uses a distributed educational model where part of the lectures are taught by our global partners and part of them are taught locally at the Aalto Fab Lab. The student is also required to spend a considerable amount of time doing independent studies and completing assignments.

    6 ECTS ≈ 160h

    • Remote teaching (global lectures): ~20h
    • Contact/Hhybrid teaching (local lectures and demonstrations): ~20h
    • Independent work and completing the assignments: ~80h
    • Time to reflect and process the lectures): ~40h

    Although part of the lectures are remote, this course cannot be completed remotely. A successful completion of the course requires attendance to the contact teaching and independent assignments at the Aalto Fab Lab.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Fab Academy website: https://fabacademy.org/
    • Additional learning materials will be provided on the MyCourses site of the course.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III
    2025-2026 Spring III

    Registration:

    Minimum amount of participants: 8
    Maximum amount of participants: 16

    Registration for Courses in Sisu. Priority order to courses is as follows:

    1. Students of the New Media major
    2. Digital Fabrication minor students
    3. Exchange students in the New Media major
    4. Students in the Master's Programme in Art and Media
    5. Other ARTS students
    6. Other Aalto Students

    In addition, there is a quota of 4 external students for LWL students joining the Fab Academy.

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