Making curricula structure

Ghent UniversityWorkshop Tempus

Making curricula structure with basic, core and optional models

16-17 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

Bachelor Master Subsequent Master1 year

PhD4 to 6 years

3 years 1 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 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 Mathematics

Making curricula structure

MajorDefinition: 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 biotechnology

Courses in clusters

Making curricula structure

Special majorA 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 Geomatics

- Main Subject:Geography

Courses in clusters

Making curricula structure

Special majorA 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 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 Astronomy

Making curricula structure

Integration coursesDefinition: 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 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