University of Helsinki Department of Computer Science
 

Department of Computer Science

Department information

 

58168-4 Credits for work experience in the field of information technology (2 to 12 cr)

Overview

Students majoring in computer science can complete their so-called working life studies included in their degree on the basis of work experience in the IT field. Working life studies are

Students may also substitute work experience for the BSc course Software engineering (581260).

Courses completed on the basis of work experience are sufficient to cover the compulsory working life studies in both degrees, defined as 584402 Traineeship or orientation into working life (1-3 credits) and 584403 Advanced traineeship or orientation into working life (at least 2 credits).

There are other ways to complete the working life studies for both degrees: the minimum of 1 credit for the BSc degree is always attained with the Software engineering project; for the MSc degree the course 581387 Information technology: Now!. This means that credits based on work experience are not compulsory for anyone. Naturally, the credits for work experience as described above will be included in the full scope of the degree, which means that any extra credits from it will decrease the need for other optional credits.

Work experience that substitutes for the software engineering project is registered in Oodi to the extent of 9 credits under the normal code 581260 and with the notation Work experience in the IT field. At the same time, the compulsory working life credits will be registered; 1 credit for the BSc degree (code 582509) and 2 credits for the MSc degree (code 582511). Students who take the course Software engineering project in normal order at the department can receive a maximum of 8 credits for work experience; typically 2 credits for their BSc degree (582509) and 6 credits for their MSc degree (582511).

Limited credit: 2-8 cr (only working life studies, no Software engineering project)

Work that accounts for limited credits is programming and design duties, as well as maintenance of hardware and software to some extent. Teaching duties may also be counted as work experience, depending on their contents. Repetitive teaching of the same kind does not count in full, though. One credit point is equivalent with 1 month of full-time working. When part-time working is converted to fulltime, one working week is 40h long. The employment may consist of many parts and there may be several employers.

The extent approved for each degree can be 2-6 credits, but with a maximum of 8 credits in total for both degrees. The way of recording described in the degree requirements, 2 credits for the BSc degree and 2-6 credits for the MSc degree, is recommended. Students with more work experience credits than the compulsory amount need fewer credits for optional courses in their degree.

Applicants must have completed the basic module of computer science to have their credits registered. It is natural to apply for the credits to be included in each degree in the same application if applicants have enough experience by the time they finish their BSc degree.

Extensive credits: Software engineering project + working life studies (12 credits in total)

The requirements for these credits are not the same as the normal requirements described above. To gain this credit, students must have completed the course Software engineering with at least the grade 3 out of 5. Furthermore, requirements include at least 2.5 years of work experience concurring with the goals of the course Software engineering project, in software project teams of at least 3 members and in different capacities within the group (= preliminary research, specification, design, programming, testing, project management, software and hardware purchases). Part-time work is calculated into fulltime in the same way as for the limited credits (1 week = 40h). Students may apply for credits when they have fulfilled the requirements for attending the software engineering project.

Applications

The extensive and the limited credits are alternatives; students who have received the compensation for the software engineering project cannot receive more than 1 + 2 credits for working life studies based on work experience. Before applying, students should consider which plan they want to follow in their degree. Limited credits may be ‘updated’ to extensive credits later, but this means that the limited credits will be removed from the records so that there is no extra gain in applying at two different stages. Applications for the limited credits must include mention of whether the applicant wants to have more than 2 credits registered for their BSc degree.

Informal applications (see example below) with appendices should be delivered to the Head of Studies. Applications must contain at least information on how many credit points the applicant hopes for, as well as the applicant's name, student number and e-mail address.

Appendices

The certificates should state the extent of the work, i.e. how long it lasted in terms of fulltime employment. The certificates should also state what kind of IT work the main duties included, as well as the employer's contact details. Write a concise report of the duties you have had, what methods, description techniques, programming languages, and tools you have used in your work. Furthermore, give a short description of one or two projects that you worked with. You can describe e.g. what field the project worked in, how extensive it was, whether you worked alone or in a group, what your responsibilities were, etc. You do not need to go into detail. End your report with a presentation of what you have learned in your work. The focus will be on the versatility of the experience and the personal networks (what kind of teams, client contact, your part in the project, the parts of others, etc).

The application and appendices will be stored in the department records, so use copies if necessary.

Status of IT work experience credits according to the old degree system

Credits recorded under the code 58168 will be converted without separate application for the BSc degree in accordance with the new degree system: 2-4 credit points for working life studies (2 cr for the BSc degree, 2-6 cr for the MSc degree) and 6 cr for the Software engineering project and credits for working life studies (9+1+2 cr, see details above). For students who have already completed their BSc degree according to the old degree system, the compulsory working life studies (2 cr) for the MSc degree can be considered completed and will be recorded in the module of other studies with a reference to the old BSc degree.

Credits registered for minoring students will not be changed; the status of old credits in the student’s degree will be decided at the major subject department of each student.

An example of an application on work experience in the IT field:



To the Head of Studies at the Dept of Computer Science

With reference to the appended certificates of employment and work description, I would like to apply for limited credits, 2-4 cr, for my work experience. *)

I have completed 35 credit points of computer science courses and I have completed all courses in the basic module. **)

Appendices:

  • Excerpt from the study register (unofficial)
  • Certificate of employment from Software Gimmicks Ltd
  • Work report
In Koivukylä, Vantaa, on 7 September 2008;
Anne Arduous

Anne Arduous
Rasinkatu 13
01360 VANTAA
e-mail: Anne.Arduous@cs.Helsinki.FI
Student number: 012345678

*) alternatively e.g. "extensive credits: compensation for software engineering project + working life studies"
**) a description of the requisites in connection with extensive credits