Making curricula structure Ghent University Workshop Tempus Making curricula structure with basic, core and optional models February 2006

Making curricula structure Situation in Flanders Implementation of BA/MA structure  April 2003: governmental decree  BA1 started in October 2004  MA1 will start in October 2007

Making curricula structure Situation at the Faculty of Sciences BachelorMasterSubsequent Master 1 year PhD 4 to 6 years 3 years1 or 2 years

Making curricula structure Different courses General courses Courses in clusters Elective courses Integration courses

Making curricula structure General Courses Definition: General courses are courses which are a fixed part of a certain discipline. These courses are intended to give the basic knowledge within the discipline. They are compulsory for all students in the discipline. Example: Bachelor of InformaticsBachelor of Informatics

Making curricula structure Courses in clusters Minor Definition: a minor is a homogeneous group of courses with a broadening focus. These courses are only sidely connected to the discipline. A minor is mentioned on the diploma supplement. Example: Bachelor of MathematicsBachelor of Mathematics

Making curricula structure Major Definition: a major is a homogeneous group of courses with a deepening focus within the discipline. The major is mentioned on the diploma supplement. Example: Master of Bioscience Engineering: cell and gene biotechnologyMaster of Bioscience Engineering: cell and gene biotechnology Courses in clusters

Making curricula structure Special major A major can be similar to a ‘main subject’ within the discipline. A main subject is a differentiation in a programme with at least 30 credits. The master thesis is included in these 30 credits. The main subject is mentioned on the diploma. Example: Bachelor of Geography and GeomaticsBachelor of Geography and Geomatics - Main Subject:Geography Courses in clusters

Making curricula structure Special major A major can be similar to an ‘option’ within the discipline. An option implies a specific training in which a coherent whole of courses is offered. The option is mentioned on the diploma supplement. Example: Bachelor of Chemistry - Option chemistryBachelor of Chemistry - Option chemistry Courses in clusters

Making curricula structure Elective courses Definition: elective courses are courses which can be chosen in function of the personal curriculum, after approval by the faculty Example: Bachelor of Physics and AstronomyBachelor of Physics and Astronomy

Making curricula structure Integration courses Definition: Integration courses are courses of which the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes gained in other courses, are applied and further developed. The master thesis, projects, seminars and internships are examples of integration courses. Example: Bachelor of BiologyBachelor of Biology

Making curricula structure  Category A  Category B  Category C  Category D  Category E Educational and study activities within a course

Making curricula structure Category A Definition: This category of educational activities is focussed on transfer and assimilation of theory and is organised institutionally with guidance of academic staff

Making curricula structure Category B Definition: This category of educational activities is focussed on practising and guided application of theory and is institutionally organised with guidance of academic staff

Making curricula structure Category C Definition: This category consists of integration courses: projects, internships, seminars, master thesis. The master thesis is at least 15, maximum 30 credits.

Making curricula structure Category D Definition: This category gives the total study time that the norm-student of a discipline needs to finish all educational, study and evaluation activities of a course.

Making curricula structure Category E Definition: This category consists of the number of credits given to a course. One credit is equal to 25 – 30 hours of study time (D). The minimum number of credits for a course is 3.

Making curricula structure Example: master in biochemistry and biotechnology (4,5 x A) + (1 x B) = D Bachelor in chemistry (4 x A) + (2 x exerc.) + (1 x lab) = D Quantum chemistry (4 x 22,5) + (2 x 21) = 132

Making curricula structure Study time measurements On regular basis the Faculty needs to organise a study time measurement to see if the real studytime is equal to the estimated studytime.

Making curricula structure Study time measurements Two ways: prospective retrospective

Making curricula structure Evaluation of courses Yearly all courses of the Faculty are evaluated by the students through an online application. All aspects are questioned, also the study load of each course. Leads to fast corrections if necessary

Making curricula structure Conclusion 1.Defining the different kinds of courses 2.Make a coherent curriculum by combination of courses 3.Evaluate if your original estimation of credits/study time is correct