Modularisation of studies at the second cycle academic education

Mapped principles 

The project is mapped to the following framework principles:

P8. Flexible and structured study paths

P3. Active student-centered learning 

P4. Assessment and examination for learning 

P13. Integrated lifelong learning

Definitions of the principles

Contact

Fredrik Asplund associate professor

fasplund@kth.se , 087907405

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Charlotta Delin officer

lottan@kth.se , 087906631

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Gunilla Ölundh Sandström associate professor

gunillaos@kth.se , 087906863

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Special thanks to
Georgios Andrikopoulos, Carina Brunn, Ann-Sofie Granberg, Carina Kjörling, Björn Möller and Susanne Nilsson

This project is was implemented at the School of Industrial Engineering and Management (ITM) within the Future Education programme (project no. 2316-ITM). 

Project context  

There are many reasons why flexible study paths are important, but two examples are its impact on students’ ability to change direction later in life and the benefits it enables for higher education institutions.

The education a student chooses often has a decisive impact on their lives. Flexible study paths make it easier and lead to less waste of time and resources for both the student and the higher education institution once a student has decided on a course change later in life. In turn, this enables a society where changing demand is met by a more flexible supply of labour.

Higher education institutions must today review their use of resources. Many courses can be broken down into smaller components. The ability for course managers to combine such components in different ways provides more efficient and faster course development for both new and existing courses. The expertise of several teachers can be combined to create a flexible and dynamic course offering.

Purpose (outcome) 

The project aims to investigate how we can offer flexible study paths, develop our forms of teaching and examination, and promote continuous professional development among teachers by modularising (at least) one master's programme and validating the structure of the new master's programme in Mechatronics.

Project results (output) 

Validated method for modularisation of (at least) one Master's programme that enables flexible study paths (the new Master's programme in Mechatronics). Partial results are:

• Report (Patterns):
  • Identified patterns at programme and course level that enable positive effects from modularisation without (or with minimal) negative effects.
  • Proposals on how the Master's programme can introduce both flexible and structured study paths for both programme and lifelong learning students.
• Report (Obstacles):
  • Summary of surmountable obstacles to the modularisation proposal, i.e. barriers that may be (well) justified but can be overcome for the higher purpose of investigating the advantages of the patterns.
  • How can the obstacles be addressed in the short and long term?
• Report (Course and programme structure):
  • Component design of a number of suitable, selected Master's programmes at ITM/MMK (including the aforementioned Master's programme in Mechatronics)
  • Compilation of before/after implementation examples.
     

Time plan 

Start date: 2023-09-04
End date: 2024-03-01 

Project documentation  

If you have a KTH ID, you can read the latest project documents when logged in:

• Poster: Poster_FrU24vt_2316-ITM_MSPAN-Modularisering master_240506.pdf (English)

• Projektdirektiv_FrU23_2316-ITM_MSPAN-Modularisering master.pdf (Swedish)

Results

M-SPAN has put together a report, in which: 

• Both expected and unexpected approaches to modularity are described. 
• The challenges are discussed in detail. 
• The advantages and challenges of particular approaches to flexibility are enumerated. 
• The severity of a few administrative barriers to modularity/flexibility at KTH are clarified.