Public defence in Computer Science, M.Sc. (Tech) Petri Vesikivi
Public defence from the Aalto University School of Science, Department of Computer Science.
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Title of the thesis: Software Engineering Curriculum change in University of Applied Sciences: perspectives of teachers, students and graduates
Doctoral student: Petri Vesikivi
Opponent: Associate Professor Antti Knutas, Lappeenranta University of Technoly
Custos: Professor Lauri Malmi, Aalto University School of Science, Department of Computer Science
Universities and polytechnics are constantly updating their IT curricula to meet the demands of industry and society. To develop non-technical professional competence, Metropolia UAS, as well as several other tertiary education institutions, have introduced a project-based curriculum. This dissertation examines the impacts of the software engineering curriculum implemented at Metropolia in 2014 from the perspectives of students, graduates and teachers with the aim of understanding the impacts, identifying significant factors related to the success of the change and presenting suggestions for the design and implementation of project courses.
The research results indicate that project-based learning significantly improved the retention of first-year students in their studies. Graduates reported they had acquired key skills, such as teamwork, communication and project work. In addition, they felt that they had acquired sufficient technical knowledge and skills during their studies. The courage to ask seemingly foolish questions at the beginning of the employment relationship, highlighted by several interviewed graduate engineers, was the most intriguing finding of the study. Teachers expressed their concerns about loss of autonomy, especially those who do not participate in group teaching. Based on the results and analysis, the dissertation contains suggestions on issues and measures that may be useful for educational institutions planning similar curriculum and teaching reforms.
Keywords: project-based learning, software engineering
Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/
Contact information: petri.vesikivi@gmail.com
Doctoral theses of the School of Science: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/52