News

”Space sciences gave perspective and food for thought”

Ellen Heikkilä studies architecture at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. She is a bachelor and a fourth-year student. She took a multidisciplinary "Astronomical View of the World" course at Aalto ELEC.
Aalto University, Ellen Heikkilä, photo Jaakko Marttila

Who are you, what  do you study and why did you choose multidisciplinary courses?

I’m Ellen Heikkilä from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture where I study architecture. I’m a bachelor and a fourth-year student. I used to study at the School of Engineering where I chose the Aaltonaut minor. I did many courses about product design that was fun. However, they don’t count in my present degree. In addition, I had to choose a compulsory course for which I picked Astronomical View of the World (Aalto ELEC).

How did you find information on multidisciplinary courses and what was best about the courses?

I heard about it from a friend of mine who had completed this course when I was thinking which compulsory course to pick. I also had the opportunity to choose Esa Saarinen’s mega courses. The Astronomical View of the World course was a lecture-based one that was all right, different from the ones I had completed before.

How can you benefit your new know-how?

Space sciences are a bit challenging. You may not be able to utilize them in your own life, but they can give you perspective. It would be important to enable having interdisciplinary courses. Of course, it’s in the making and there are obstacles such as five and six credit systems, compulsory attendances, and challenging schedules.

The concept of university-wide studies (UWS) provides a multidisciplinary perspective on a form of studying where engineering and art can meet business and management. The concept began as a response to the need for new ways to combine disciplines and make them a creative part of the university’s curriculum. aalto.fi/uws

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

An EU flag with the text European Universities Community, the voice of European students.
Studies Published:

Application open to the European Student Assembly 2024

Each year students gather to debate current issues and draft policy recommendations on the future of Europe. Apply by 5 November.
People sitting in a large lecture theatre
Research & Art, Studies Published:

ELLIS Distinguished Lectures bring outstanding AI researchers to greater Helsinki

Students can earn credits by attending the seminar series.
Shcool of Business alumna Riikka Davidkin
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Alumna Riikka Davidkin: Impact is at the heart of my work – We do nothing if it cannot have a positive impact in society in the first place

Our alumna Riikka Davidkin dreamed of an international career already as a child. Now, as head of a team investing in impact funds at Social Finance in New York, she feels that her work has great significance. In her mind, it is the financial sector that is best positioned to have an impact on solving the big problems of our time.
Students sitting at Aalto University School of Business
Cooperation, Studies Published:

Up to 97% of our Master's degree graduates recommend the business degree

The national career monitoring survey is carried out annually.