Integration in Curriculum Development

Integration is a specific goal in several universities currently. The School of Chemical Technology in the Aalto University (formerly known as the Faculty of Chemistry and Material Sciences, Aalto University) saw the need to develop a new Degree Program of Bioproduct Technology (BPT). The new Program accepted its first students autumn term 2010. The development work has been conducted in an extensive cooperation within the School and the University for over two years and the development work still continues. In the early stage of the development process it was realized that certain principles provide scaffolding to all work in this Program. One of these principles is integration. It was understood that all sorts and levels of integration is needed to create a Degree Program that is able to meet the requirements the working life sets for our graduates. Integrating natural sciences into professional subjects, integrating English into other courses, integrating working life skills within all the courses, as well as providing teaching of what can be called tools-of-the-trade, for example mathematics, within the Degree Program themes has been the guiding principle in the development work. Our Workshop on Integration includes four points of view on integration within BPT. The first case is about integrating working life tools, such as using mathematical programs, learning co-operation skills, how to prepare presentations etc., into courses. The second case discusses the attempt to integrate English with a Natural Fiber Material Science course and how students view this possibility. Case number three is a new course at BPT Degree Program that builds bridges between different kinds of materials. The students’ knowledge on basics of material science in general, as well as broader knowledge in the field of synthetic polymers, increases their competence as future engineers in FBI. The fourth example of integration is the aspects of sustainability during an optional course Insights for Sustainable Development in Technology, Economy and Art. This course offered views to the sustainability from the technological, ecological, economic, social and cultural perspectives, which were further processed in students’ reflective journals. With these we will build a starting point to our workshop. The objective of our Workshop on Integration is to share experiences gained during the development work and, in cooperation with the workshop participants, to further establish tools to other curriculum developers for easier integration.