Degree Programme in Conservation: Object Conservation
Code: KI12S1
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Culture and Arts
- Credits
- 240 ects
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2012
- Teaching language
- Finnish
Descriptions
Degree Programme in Conservation
Level of qualification
Bachelor of Culture and Arts
Qualification awarded
Specific admission requirements
-
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning
According to the Degree Regulations of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences students may apply for identification and accreditation of prior learning as part of their compulsory or optional studies, provided they have prior learning corresponding to the curriculum before the course in question begins.
Qualification requirements and regulations
See the Degree Regulations of Helsinki Metropolia UAS: >>
Profile of the programme
Conservation is an interdisciplinary area of science. The purpose of conservation is to preserve our cultural heritage. Conservation includes all such actions which slow down and prevent the deterioration of cultural heritage. Conservation can be divided into technical and preventive conservation.
There are six different fields of specialisation in conservation; conservation of objects, furniture, interiors, textiles, paper and paintings
Key learning outcomes
The training gives students an extensive background knowledge in art and cultural history, material research based on chemistry and biology, technological studies and museology, and various conservation methods.
Occupational profiles of graduates
Conservators work in museums, conservation centres, archives, libraries, foundations, projects and universities, or as independent conservation entrepreneurs.
Access to further studies
Master's studies
Course structure diagram
The course structure diagram is specified in the programme study plan >> Select specialisation option from the menu bar on the left.
Examination regulations, assessment and grading
According to the Degree Regulations of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences course assessment criteria are specified in the course implementation plan. The teacher in charge of the course will be responsible for the assessment. At the beginning of the course students must be informed on the assessment principles which must be based on the course objectives. Assessment takes primarily place for each course and applies to the students who have registered and been accepted on the course. If necessary, different components of a course may be assessed individually. If the course consists of several components, the teacher may point this out in the assessment principles contained in the implementation plan.
The assessment scale is as follows: excellent (5), very good (4), good (3), very satisfactory (2), satisfactory (1), fail (0) and pass (P). Any deviations of this scale will be decided by the President.
Graduation requirements
240 ECTS credits to be completed according to the curriculum
Mode of study
Full-time studies. New students are admitted every fourth year.
Programme director
Head of Degree Programme Tuula Auer
tel. +358 20 7835330
E-mail addresses: firstname.lastname@metropolia.fi
Development
The contents of the studies are reviewed on a yearly basis and the professional development in each subject area is followed. Also suggestions and requirements coming from the working life are incorporated into studies as much as possible.
Professional studies in conservation require the ability to be able to communicate with the working life in various ways, for example continuous discussion with the owner institution during the conservation projects as well as communication with the local and international conservation community while searching for best solutions for defferent conservation problems.
Laboratory services
The laboratory of the Degree Programme in Conservation provides analyses as a service also for external customers. The service includes digital X-raying, X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) analyses, binder analyses using FTIR-ATR and, for example, preparation of fibre and cross-section samples and digital photography using a microscopic camera.
Further information
PROTECTING CULTURAL HERITAGE AND SOLVING PROBLEMS CREATIVELY
Conservation encompasses all the activities with which the decay of cultural heritage can be slowed down or prevented. If necessary, conservation can be supplemented with the restoration of missing parts / areas.
The conservator’s task is to ensure the preservation of cultural heritage for present and future generations.
A conservator is a special expert responsible for protecting and preserving cultural heritage.
Conservators work together with researchers from different fields and other experts, aiming to collect all information contained by objects and interiors of cultural historical value.
In addition to manual skills, conservators possess extensive theoretical, technical and scientific competence and good problem-solving solutions. They also analyse the properties and behaviour of different materials.
The conservator’s work is independent and requires perseverance, precision and attention to detail. Conservators participate in all stages of conservation work, from research and the planning of procedures all the way to implementation.
Conservators often work in teams, and therefore cooperation skills and flexibility are some of the characteristics expected of them. Conservators work in museums, conservation centres, archives, libraries, foundations, projects and universities, or as independent conservation entrepreneurs.
Conservation of cultural historical objects
The object conservator’s work comprises a wide range of tasks, including archaeological discoveries and classic automobiles. The object conservator’s competence includes understanding the properties of various materials and carrying out the proper procedures aiming at preserving objects and maintaining their usability.
In addition, object conservators focus on collection inventory, risk and condition assessments and the preparation of collection care plans in the form of practical projects and in cooperation with various museums.
Conservation of furniture
Furniture conservation covers a wide variety of furniture, such as modern furniture, 18th-century veneer and inlay-decorated lacquered furniture, flower-painted folk furniture and upholstered furniture. Furniture conservators work with a wide range of materials, varying from metal fittings and leather to silk upholstery and Chinese lacquer.
The training is based on knowledge of the different materials and manufacturing techniques of furniture, such as decorative carving, veneering, inlaying, polishing, decorative painting, gilding and upholstering.
Studies also include furniture style history, wood anatomy and introduction to other materials, such as metal, leather and plastic.
During conservation courses, students conserve several pieces of furniture and objects of various types. Conservation and supplementary restoration should always be done with a sense of respect for the historical layers of a piece of furniture or object.
Conservation of historical interiors
Interior conservators are responsible for the preservation and care of building interiors of cultural and historical value. The conservator’s work covers decorative wall murals as well as painted, wallpaper, wooden, gypsum, stone and plastered surfaces.
The studies provide in-depth knowledge in traditional surface materials and techniques, paint binder and pigmentation analyses as well as conservation work in cultural historical buildings and in museums. The goal is to preserve the original colours and materials of buildings of cultural and historical value using traditional working methods.
Conservation of textiles
Textile conservators are experts in textile materials who work in the preservation of different textiles, such as clothing and costumes, painted and embroidered textiles, ecclesiastical textiles and ethnographic textiles. The conservator’s work combines manual dexterity with aesthetic appreciation of a textile artefact.
Textile conservation studies include various methods used for cleaning and stabilising damaged textiles. Knowledge of materials and fabric identification methods, coupled with understanding the behaviour of different materials and dyeing processes, form the basis for the studies.
Textile and costume history and museology courses complement the textile conservator’s studies.
Conservation of paper
A paper conservator is a specialist in the preservation of a wide range of document and artistic materials: printed matter, books, art on paper, photographs and paper objects.
The paper conservation studies cover paper materials, manufacturing techniques, paper chemistry and fibre science. In addition to conservation techniques, it is important to understand various processes used for preparing objects, such as bookbinding, printing techniques and photography.
Paper conservators not only preserve written and illustrated material of cultural historical value, but also the information contained in it.
Conservation of paintings
Painting conservators specialise in the conservation of works of art painted on wood and canvas – icons, polychrome wooden sculptures, paintings on wood and canvas, and modern and contemporary art. Conservation of picture frames is also included in the studies.
In addition to conservation methods and practical work, the studies cover historical materials and painting techniques, such as gilding, tempera painting and early oil painting. Material analyses based on chemistry and biology form an essential part of problem solving in the conservation of paintings. The curriculum also covers museum work and construction of exhibitions.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (ECTS) | 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | Autumn 2012 | Spring 2013 | Autumn 2013 | Spring 2014 | Autumn 2014 | Spring 2015 | Autumn 2015 | Spring 2016 | 1. / 2012 | 2. / 2012 | 3. / 2013 | 4. / 2013 | 1. / 2013 | 2. / 2013 | 3. / 2014 | 4. / 2014 | 1. / 2014 | 2. / 2014 | 3. / 2015 | 4. / 2015 | 1. / 2015 | 2. / 2015 | 3. / 2016 | 4. / 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KI12S1-1008 |
Communication and Language Skills
(Choose all ) |
12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA09 | Professional Communication 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA12 | Professional Communication 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00AC52 | Swedish at Work | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00AC51 | Professional English | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1007 |
Supportive Professional Studies
(Choose all ) |
9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA02 | Methodology | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA03 | Business Planning | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00AC54 | Introduction to Studies | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1009 |
Science in Conservation
(Choose all ) |
9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB67 | Chemistry 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB78 | Microbiology and Biology | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1002 |
Conservation Chemistry
(Choose all ) |
7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA24 | Chemistry 2 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA26 | Analytical Research Methods | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1005 |
History of Art and Culture
(Choose all ) |
6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA19 | History of Art and Culture | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA18 | Art History of Finland | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1004 |
Museology
(Choose all ) |
9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA21 | Museology 1 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA22 | Museology 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1006 |
Documentation
(Choose all ) |
9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB69 | Presentation Techniques | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA06 | Photography 1 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA07 | Photography 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1001 |
Conservation Studies
(Choose all ) |
105 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB71 | Introduction to Materials and Techniques Used in Conservation | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA35 | History, Philosophy and Ethics in Conservation | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB65 | Retouching | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB70 | Conservation of Industrial Heritage, Modern and Contemporary Art | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA43 | Advanced Professional Project | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB86 | Conservation of Glass | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB87 | Conservation of Stone | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB88 | Metal Conservation | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB89 | Conservation of Archaeological and Waterlogged Materials | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB93 | Conservation of Ethnographic Objects | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AA29 | Conservation of Ceramics | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1003 |
Project Studies
(Choose all ) |
20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00AC55 | Innovation Project | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB91 | Project Studies | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1011 |
Professional Development and Practical Training
(Choose all ) |
45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AC20 | Batchelor`s Thesis | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB53 | Work Placement 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI00AB54 | Work Placement 2 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KI12S1-1010 |
Elective Studies
(Choose 0) |
0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 240 | 36 | 41.6 | 37.7 | 38.7 | 18 | 18 | 20.9 | 20.9 | 18.8 | 18.8 | 19.3 | 19.3 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 9.7 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
polytechnics::bachelor level
Government Decree on Polytechnics (15.5.2003/352; 4 §)
conservator::competences
Lähettäjä: Tuula Auer 4.2.2009
Bachelor level::generic competences (2010)
Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (2010): recommendation for generic competences in bachelor level