Aalto University uses the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) in measuring a student’s workload. Courses are allocated credits on the basis of the requisite workload. The average input of 1 600 working hours needed for studies of one academic year corresponds to 60 credits, i.e 27 working hours corresponds to 1 ECTS credit.

The curriculum contains the degree structure, the degree requirements, the learning outcomes of the programme and its majors and the courses a student has to finish for the degree. The curriculum includes a model timetable to complete the Bachelor’s degree within three years timeframe.

Since Autumn 2018, Aalto University has adopted a two-year curriculum cycle. This curriculum covers academic years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 (1 August 2020 - 31 July 2022).

A student follows the curriculum of the academic year when he/she has received the study right to the programme, unless otherwise instructed, with the exeption of those students who have enrolled as absent for the first year.

The Aalto Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology covers a range of scientific disciplines centered around engineering, science, and mathematics.

This document specifies the learning outcomes of the programme as a whole, the specific learning outcomes of each major are presented in major studies.

Educational mission

The Aalto Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology aims to equip students with an interdisciplinary skillset that allows them to approach new problems with creative problemsolving attitude and develop innovative solutions. The programme aims to provide students the ability to transfer the skills acquired in one field and apply them to a multidisciplinary context. Graduates of the programme will be able to procure and evaluate scientific knowledge, and take part in scientific and professional communication in a versatile manner.

The programme aims to educate professionals in a diverse range of activities. Graduates of the programme will obtain the background to start their working life as data scientists, digitalsystems specialists, engineers, or technology entrepreneurs, among other professions.

Additionally, the programme prepares students for advanced studies in engineering, science, and mathematics, so that graduates of the programme will be well-equipped to pursue Masters-level studies giving them the opportunity to follow professions, such as engineering scientists, business analysts, industrial researchers, technology leaders, technical managers of crossdisciplinary teams, and more.

Majors and minors

The basic studies and major studies of the Aalto Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology will provide students with a broad knowledge of the fundamentals in the given fields of study: engineering, science, and mathematics.

During their period of Bachelor's studies, the students will acquire a professional identity relevant to their majors.

Students will develop insight into the professional methods used in their fields and will understand the connection between their acquired knowledge and scientific research.

The programme enables students to choose their minors and elective study modules in such a way as to reflect the connections between engineering, science, mathematics, technology, business, and arts, which brings together strong synergies present in Aalto University.

After completing the Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology, the students will be able to follow professional developments in the area of their major, find and procure scientific research information, and work as research assistants, thereby developing their own skill-sets and abilities.

Techno-scientific thinking and working methods

After completing their degrees in the Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology, students will have a good command of techno-scientific thought and working methods.

They will recognize the key concepts, phenomena, models and methods and will be able to put them to practical use, applying the tools of engineering, science, and mathematics to their own field.

Students will become familiar with the development and production processes of products and services in their own field of learning, as well as with factors that impact the life-cycle of those products and services, and will be able to participate in the necessary phases of engineering work involved in these.

Students will be able to identify, define, and solve technical problems with methods commonly used in their field, which they have learned during the programme. They will be able to apply the design practices they have acquired to satisfy the defined requirements. Students will be able to choose appropriate tools and methods, and will be able to use them, as well as to assess the results, processes and methods of engineering work critically.

Students will become familiar with the key information sources of their major and will be able to retrieve information supporting their work. They will know the research methods of the field and they will be able to apply them in order to gain information.

Students who have completed the Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology will be able to find innovative solutions to the diverse challenges faced in developing and designing technical systems.

Students will recognize the effects of technology and design as well as those of their own work on people, society, the economy and the environment while also gaining insight into the ethical questions of the field and the relevance of those questions for their own work.

Study skills and foundation for Master's degree studies

'Students take responsibility for their learning as members of the academic community

The Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology gives students the skills and knowledge needed to pursue a Master of Science (Technology) in applicable programmes at Aalto University or to apply to Master's programmes at other universities in Finland and abroad.

The students may plan their studies in a way that allows them to gain the knowledge needed to pursue a Master of Science (Technology) also in the field of their minor (with programmespecific restrictions).

The studies completed in the Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology will create a foundation for lifelong learning and professional development.

Transferable skills

After completing the Bachelor's programme in Science and Technology, the students will

• have the skills needed for goal-oriented and systematic work;  know the principles of teamwork and team leadership and will be able to apply them to their work;
• be able to represent their field in a inter-disciplinary group;
• know the basic principles of project planning, execution and assessment, and will be able to apply them to their studies and work;
• be familiar with the basics of business and entrepreneurship in their field;
• be able to apply information and communication technology in various ways in their studies and work;
• have the oral and written language skills needed to communicate clearly in English;
• be able to work with different kinds of people both in Finland and in an international environment

The new curriculum for the academic years 2020–21 and 2021–22 will come into effect on 1 August 2020. Students can choose whether to continue their studies according to the 2018–2020 curriculum or change to the new curriculum. You can change to the new curriculum by making a new study plan in the Sisu system and sending it for approval.

Some changes, however, affect the students regardless of the curriculum they are following. Below you find instructions for students who have started their studies in 2018 or 2019.

Chemical Engineering

CHEM-C1230 Principles of Physical Chemistry replaces CHEM-C2250 Chemistry III on the 2nd year Autumn curriculum (period II). Students are advised to continue their studies according to the 2018–2020 curriculum.

Computational Engineering

Students who started their studies in the Autumn of 2019 continue their studies according to the 2018–2020 curriculum. Only minor changes in the major optional courses.

Data Science

• MS-A0211 Differential and integral calculus 2 replaces MS-C2105 Introduction to optimization in basic studies
  • if you haven’t yet taken MS-C2105, you can choose which of the two courses to include in the basic studies
  • MS-C2105 Introduction to optimization remains major optional course
• CS-C3160 Data Science will be discontinued. It will be replaced with a new course CS-C3240 Machine Learning. Autumn 2019 version of the Data Science course is overlapping with the Machine Learning course.
• a new course CS-C2105 Programming Studio A to replace CS-C2120 Programming Studio 2: Project (courses are overlapping, and either will do)
• CS-C2150 Theoretical Computer Science is renamed and recoded as CS-C2160 Theory of Computation (courses are overlapping, and either will do)
• CS-C3230 Data Science project 10 cr will change to 5 cr course CS-C3250 Data science project 5 cr.
  • Students who have started their studies in 2018 or 2019 take either Digital Ethics or any major optional course to cover the missing 5cr.

Current students can choose whether to complete the degree according to the 2018-2020 or the 2020-2022-degree requirements. First year students are advised to continue their studies according to the new degree requirements. If you wish to change to the new curriculum, submit a new HOPS once the 2020-2022 template is available or update your current HOPS to meet the new requirements.

2nd year curriculum for Data Science students who started their studies in 2019:

Courses for 2020 Autumn term

• CS-A1140 Data structures and algorithms
• CS-C3120 Human-Computer Interaction
• 3-4 courses of electives or studies towards the minor

Courses for 2021 Spring term

• CS-C3240 Machine Learning (if Data Science course not taken)
• MS-C1620 Statistical inference
• CS-C2160 Theory of Computation
• CS-E4800 Artificial Intelligence
• MS-A0211 Differential and Integral calculus 2 (if Intro to Optimization not done on the first year of studies)
• CS-A1153 Databases
• CS-E5480 Digital Ethics

Digital Systems and Design

Students who started their studies in the Autumn of 2018 or 2019 continue their studies according to the 2018-2020 curriculum. Changes in the curriculum apply to students who start their studies in the Autumn of 2020.

Quantum Technology

Students who started their studies in the Autumn of 2019 change to the new (2020-2022) curriculum and continue their 2nd year studies according to the new curriculum. Quantum Materials replaces Structure of Matter in the first-year curriculum. For current students they are interchangeable.

Responsible Professor: Michael Hummel
School: School of Chemical Engineering

Curriculum by study modules

Basic studies

Code: CHEM10.A
Extent: 65 ECTS

Major: Chemical Engineering

Code: CHEM3054
Extent: 65 ECTS

In addition, students can include a maximum of 10 credits of practical training (JOIN.trai) in their elective studies.

Learning outcomes

In the Chemical Engineering major of the Aalto Bachelor's Programme in Science and Technology students learn the basic skills and knowledge required for a transition from an oil-based to a sustainable society. Utilizing natural resources is vital for a sustainable way of living and will be crucial for future economic growth, as it will provide also new business opportunities.

The focus of the major is on biotechnology and biomaterials, complementing the strong basics in mathematics and programming obtained in the basic studies. Harnessing the tools offered by chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology and engineering the major introduces how bio-based “thinking” will help in finding novel solutions to make this world more sustainable and create innovative products and solutions for applications ranging from construction materials and textiles to biofuels and medicine.

This skills combination is very powerful and allows you to specialize in many fields of chemistry and biotechnology as well as life science related topics in your further Master's studies.

Content of the studies

You will get basic knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry. Furthermore, you will be introduced to material sciences and polymer technology, related natural raw materials, product design, and related industrial processes. Your knowledge will be finally combined in a bachelor's thesis with a topic relevant to your studies.

Responsible professor: Luc St-Pierre
School: School of Engineering

Curriculum by study modules

Basic studies

Code: ENG3045.A
Extent: 65 ECTS credits

Major: Computational Engineering

Code: ENG3082
Extent: 65 ECTS cr

In addition, students can include a maximum of 10 credits of practical training (JOIN.trai) in their elective studies.

Learning outcomes

Through your studies in Computational Engineering, you will build strong foundations in:

Applied mathematics: More specifically, you will advance your competences in integral and differential calculus, linear algebra, statistical analysis and numerical methods.

Engineering: You will learn fundamental theories in engineering and use them to solve practical problems in the fields of thermodynamics as well as solid and fluid mechanics.

Programming and computing: You will become familiar with the principles of programming, data structures and algorithms.  You will also gain experience in using some of the most relevant industrial engineering software packages.

Responsible Professor: Aki Vehtari
School: School of Science

Curriculum by study modules

Basic studies

Code: SCI3031.A
Extent: 65 ECTS

* For more information on language requirements, please see Compulsory language studies 2020-2022.

**University Wide Studies for Data Science students

An Aalto course worth at least 3 cr is a compulsory part of the basic studies. The aim is to provide all students with sufficient understanding of the opportunities offered by Aalto University. The aim is also to support interactions among students from different fields of study and to inspire mobility. The following courses are suggested for Data Science students

• MS-C1001 Shapes in action 5 cr, I Autumn (lectured every other year, not lectured 2021-2022)
• AAN-C1003 Professional Development 5 cr, I-II (Autumn), III-IV (Spring)
• ELEC-A7901 Internet Forum 3-5 cr, I-II (Autumn)
• UWAS-C0008 Design Learning 3 cr, II (Autumn)
• UWAS-C0008 Creative Coding 5 cr, V (Spring)
• UWAS-C0025 Art and Artificial Intelligence 5 cr, V (Spring)

If you choose a course, that is not listed above, apply for approval for it through your study plan in Sisu by sending the basic studies module for approval.

Major

Code: SCI3095
Credits: 65 ECTS

In addition, students can include a maximum of 10 credits of practical training (JOIN.trai) in their elective studies.

Learning outcomes of the Data Science major

Data science is a multidisciplinary field focusing on the study of scientific methods for extracting knowledge and insights from data. Data science employs techniques and theories drawn from many fields within the broad areas of mathematics, statistics, information sciences, and computer science.

During their studies in the Data Science BSc major, students will acquire skills for developing their problem-solving abilities using data-driven approaches. After completing their studies, students will be able to tackle real-world problems using powerful methods of machine learning, data mining, and artificial intelligence. Students will be able to manage efficiently large volumes of data and develop data-driven models for different applications. They will also be proficient in making sound inferences from data and making sense of big data.

The students will acquire the following skills related to the computational foundations of Data Science:
 programming, data structures, algorithms, machine learning and data mining, artificial intelligence, data management, visualization, network analysis, and more.

The students will acquire the following skills related to the mathematical foundations of Data Science:
 discrete mathematics, multivariate calculus, linear algebra, matrix analysis, optimization, mathematics of computation, and more.

The students will acquire the following skills related to the statistical foundations of Data Science:
 probability and statistics,
 statistical inference, empirical data analysis, statistical modeling, prediction and time-series, design of experiments, and more.

Emphasis will be given to studying the foundations of mathematics, statistics, and computation, and building strong background in Data Science, so that students can follow the developments in this rapidly-evolving domain in the years to come.

Additionally, the students will obtain extensive hands-on experience and they will participate in team projects, so as to develop their technical skills, learn to work in a team, and learn to bring theory into practice.

Responsible Professor: Prof. Stephan Sigg
School: School of Electrical Engineering

Curriculum by modules

Basic Studies

Code: ELEC3029.A
Extent: 65 ECTS

*For more information about the language requirements, see Compulsory language studies 2020-2022.

Major

Code: ELEC3056
Extent: 65 ECTS

*Note: The final project is expected to last two periods and can be started any time. It should be started at least one period ahead of the BSc thesis seminar.

In addition, students can include a maximum of 10 credits of practical training (JOIN.trai) in their elective studies.

Learning outcomes for the Digital Systems and Design major

This major covers a range of interdisciplinary topics relevant in the development and design of complex digital systems. It addresses the industry-relevant fields of electrical engineering and automation, computer, communication, and information sciences, as well as electronics. Students of the major will acquire competence in a range of techniques covering the broad areas of mathematics, modeling and analysis of signals and systems, and electronics.

During their studies in this major, students acquire knowledge in project planning and management, design in engineering and problem solving. The major empowers students to solve industry-relevant problems employing cutting-edge tools of embedded systems, control theory, and signal processing. Students will be trained in the modeling and analysis of systems, advance their knowledge in the broad field of computer networks and gain professional experience through tailored industry-relevant projects and entrepreneurship trainings.

The expertise gained through the major features diverse programming skills, good mathematical background, goal-oriented problem solving, engineering design as well as efficient project planning and management.

In particular, students will boast competences in

• emerging information technologies: students will learn from experts in evolving information technologies that define the future in industry and society
• modern electronics: the major of Digital Systems and Design educates students in various fields of modern electronics required by specialists
• analysis, design and optimization of complex systems: students of Digital Systems and Design will succeed in the efficient analysis, design and optimization of complex systems
• project planning and management for digital systems: students will obtain management skills expected from highly sought-for experts in leading positions in industry
• design in engineering: students will acquire cutting-edge design skills tailored for engineering that make a difference in technical solutions
• programming skills: student will gather practical programming expertise in a range of industry-relevant languages
• project and team working: students will collect practical experience through industry or close-to industry projects

Responsible professor: Mikko Möttönen
School: School of Science and School of Electrical Engineering

Curriculum by study modules

Basic studies

Code: SCI3105.A
Extent: 65 ECTS

Major studies

Code: SCI3103
Credits: 65 ECTS

In addition, students can include a maximum of 10 credits of practical training (JOIN.trai) in their elective studies.

Learning outcomes

Through your studies in Quantum Technology, you will build strong foundations in:

• Quantum physics. You will learn the fundamentals of quantum physics how to apply its principles in real-world technologies such as in the superconducting quantum computer.
• Applied mathematics. You will advance your competences in integral and differential calculus, matrix algebra, statistical analysis and numerical methods.
• Programming and engineering. You will know how to develop computer algorithms and programs, especially those that exploit quantum mechanical principles. You will also be able to carry out experiments on quantum systems.
• Teamwork and communication.  You will develop your ability to work effectively in a team and learn how to communicate your results in reports and presentations.

A minor subject of 20–25 credits is a compulsory part of a bachelor's degree. The combined extent of the minor (20–25 cr) and the elective studies (25–30 cr) is 50 cr. The minor is confirmed in the students personal study plan (HOPS). It is possible to choose a minor within Aalto University, from another Finnish university through the Flexible Study Right (JOO) agreement or from university abroad during a student exchange.

Minor studies must be university level subject studies and they must form a module. It is not possible to take individual courses or language courses as a minor. Also studies in the field of student's major and courses that are overlapping with other studies are excluded from the minor selection.

Minor subjects offered by the different disciplines at Aalto University are listed here: Minors 2020-2022.

Currently, minors that are offered in English and are suitable for bachelor's level students include at least the following:

• AaltoNAUT (School of ENG)
• CHEMARTS (Schools of ARTS and CHEM)
• Chemical Engineering (School of CHEM)
• Computational Engineering (School of ENG)
• Computer Science (School of SCI)
• Data Science (School of SCI)
• Digital Systems and Design (School of ELEC)
• Economics (School of BIZ)
• Information Technology Programme (School of BIZ)
• International Business (Mikkeli campus, School of BIZ)
• Mathematics (School of SCI)
• Quantitative Methods (School of BIZ)
• Quantum Technology (Schools of ELEC and SCI)
• Statistics (School of SCI)

Code: CHEM3020 (CHEME), ENG3072 (COE), ELEC3012 (DSD), SCI3041 (DS and QT)
Extent: 20-25 cr
Language: According to agreement
Professor in charge: Professors in charge of the majors

International studies minor consists of courses, which are relevant to student’s degree at Aalto University and which are completed during the student exchange abroad. International study minor is a strong and visible unit of international dimension in a student’s degree and addresses the need for engineers who can combine technical expertise with international understanding.

In addition to the professional content of the minor, module aims to produce knowledge and practical skills in languages and intercultural competence as well as for the needs of modern working life, learned after direct experience of studying and practicing of engineering in a foreign country. Skills such as critical thinking, ability to use relevant theoretical concepts according to context and ability to cope with uncertainty and multiple interpretations. Furthermore, student will possess an increased knowledge base related to the country or region where the student gains his/her global experience.

International studies minor consists of 20-25 credits. It may include other than the student's major subject studies, as well as the host country language and cultural studies and it can be interdisciplinary by its nature. International minor content should be discussed in advance with the planning officer and the professor of student's major. It is possible to supplement the International Studies Minor with courses completed at Aalto University with maximum of 5 credits. Supplementation should be agreed beforehand with the planning officer and the professor of student’s major. International studies minor is graded with the scale of pass/fail. Terms and conditions of Aalto University student exchange applies.

Minimum requirement to gain the International Studies minor status:

• Credits: 20-25 cr
• Minimum requirement for professional studies completed during the exchange: 15 credits
• Maximum requirement for language and cultural studies (with the exception of specific Language and Culture Study unities offered by exchange partner universities): 10 credits
• Maximum supplementation with Aalto University courses: 5 credits. Following courses are recommended: language courses (advanced level), international communication courses, internationally oriented professional courses taught in English.
• Traineeship abroad can be considered a way of completing the minor (max 5 credits)

Degree students at Aalto University also have the possibility to study at another Finnish university. The Flexible Study Rights Agreement (JOO) is a national agreement between universities, which provides students of Finnish universities the opportunity to include courses from other universities into their degrees. For more information, consult JOO-online.

Students choose 25–30 credits of elective studies. The combined extent of the minor (20–25 cr) and the elective studies (25–30 cr) is 50 cr. Individual elective courses can be taken from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities through the Flexible Study Right (JOO) agreement. Studies completed abroad during a student exchange can also be included in the elective studies category (exchange studies can also form an international minor or be included in the major).

The elective studies may include a work placement furthering professional development. It is possible to include 1–10 ECTS of work experience in a bachelor’s degree.

Entrepreneurial, multidisciplinary Aalto studies and language studies are recommended. Foreign students are encouraged to take Finnish courses.

A few links where to search for suitable courses

• https://courses.aalto.fi/
• Language and communication studies
• Cross-school & cross-university studies

The JOIN.bsc Bachelor's Thesis and Seminar is a 10 cr study module that is completed during one study term in third year of studies. The bachelor’s thesis is written while attending the seminar.

After completing the Bachelor’s Thesis and Seminar you will be able to understand scientific processes and search for relevant background information, both applying and analysing the data collected. In addition, you will be able to produce scientific articles in precise and correct language, present your findings and both receive and give feedback.

The language of instruction of the seminar is English and the thesis is written in English. Students who have been educated in Finnish or Swedish are required to write their maturity essay in the language of educaton (i.e. Finnish or Swedish).

More information on the Bachelor's Thesis and Seminar will be provided to students during their studies in the programme.

The following language and communication studies are compulsory for a Bachelor of Science (Tech.) degree:

Foreign language, 3 credits (both oral and written)

The compulsory language studies are a part of the basic studies and they must be at an intermediate to advanced level, at a CEFR level of B1–B2 or higher. B2 is the level required for English.

‘Foreign language’ refers here to a foreign language from a Finnish university degree perspective. This means that you can take the language studies in your native language if your native language is e.g. English or German, but not in Finnish or Swedish, even if Finnish is a foreign language to you.

Excluding Chemical Engineering, all majors have an English course in the schedule for the autumn of the first year. These English courses fulfil the requirement for a compulsory foreign language course. For Chemical Engoneering majors, the compulsory foreign language course is scheduled for the spring of the second year studies.

Second national language of Finland, 2 credits

Studies in the second national language are required of those who have had Finnish or Swedish as their language of education in comprehensive (grades 1–9) and upper secondary (grades 10–12) school in Finland. If the language of education is Finnish, the second national language is Swedish and vice versa.

The way to complete the studies in the second national language depends on the student’s skills in the language in question.

Swedish as the second national language

Students with excellent skills in Swedish can complete the studies by taking an oral and a writing test in Swedish. Most students fulfil the requirement by taking a (Swedish) language course, either

• LC-5410 Svenska inom teknik, 3 cr, or
• LC-5411 Svenska inom teknik från grunden, 4 cr

After which the student will take the

• LC-5001 National Language Requirement (Swedish) Writing Test
• LC-5002  National Language Requirement (Swedish) Oral Test

The latter two are a compulsory part of the basic studies. LC-5410 and LC-5411 can be included in the elective studies. LC-5410 Svenska inom teknik is offered in the spring term (III period) of the first year.

Finnish as the second national language

Students who have had Swedish as their language of education must complete the following language tests in Finnish:

• LC-7001 National Language Requirement (Finnish), writing test
• LC-7002 National Language Requirement (Finnish), oral test

There are advanced courses in Finnish available for students with Swedish as their language of education. More information is available from the Aalto Language Centre.

Other students

Students who are educated abroad in a language other than Finnish or Swedish can take the equivalent two credit’s worth of language studies in any language. A Finnish course for foreign students is offered in the spring term (III period) of the first year.

Finnish students who have not studied Swedish/Finnish as the second national language at school, please contact the planning officer of the programme for information on the process for receiving a possible exemption.

Maturity demonstration

The maturity demonstration in the language of education is an assignment required for the Bachelor’s degree and normally completed as part of the Bachelor’s thesis. The student demonstrates a command of the thesis topic area and proficiency in the language of education. For students who are educated in Finnish or Swedish, communication studies are integrated in the bachelor’s thesis seminar. This means that the maturity is assessed as part of the student’s thesis (thesis text excerpt / abstract).

All other students demonstrate the maturity (of the thesis topic area) as part of their Bachelor’s thesis.

More information on language studies is available from the Aalto Language Centre or from the planning officer of the programme.