Conservation: Degree Programme in Conservation_COPY
Code: KXA14S1
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Culture and Arts
- Credits
- 240 ects
- Duration
- 4 years (240 ECTS)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2014
- Teaching language
- Finnish
Descriptions
Conservation
The curriculum of the degree programme in Conservation is skills based. The skills are based on the general competencies of the conservation profession, including the pan-European requirements for the profession (see European Network for Conservation-Restoration Education or ICOM).
The curriculum consists of supportive studies, material studies, conservation studies, project studies, optional studies, elective studies, work placement and bachelor’s thesis.
Some of the courses are common for the Historic Interiors and Paper Conservation Learning Tracks.
Optional studies
In the optional studies in the degree programme for Conservation, the student is able to choose 15 ECTS credits from the courses of the other specialization options.
As elective studies, the student is able to choose studies in the degree programme for Conservation, or choose studies from the general elective studies basket of Metropolia.
International activities
The student can apply to international exchange programs or complete his/her work placement abroad.
Working life cooperation
Courses in the degree programme include cooperation with museums, conservation companies and public administration. Project studies include the Innovation Project (10 credits) which is carried out with working life and students from different professional fields.
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. Curriculum is presented to the conservation working life advisory committee.
Professional studies include working life projects from museums, parishes, etc. Cooperation with National Board of Antiquities and conservation companies is continual. Final theses are linked to the working life.
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 fiber and cross-section samples and digital photography using a microscopic camera.
Further information
CONSERVATOR IS PROTECTING THE 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 centers, archives, libraries, foundations, conservation projects and universities, or as independent conservation entrepreneurs.
Conservation of historical interiors (application 2014)
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 paper (application 2014)
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 cultural historical objects (no application 2014)
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 (no application 2014)
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 textiles (no application 2014)
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 paintings (no application 2014)
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.
Developement of programme and collaboration with working life
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 different 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 fiber and cross-section samples and digital photography using a microscopic camera.
This curriculum includes following specialisations:
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (ECTS) | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | 2017-2018 | Autumn 2014 | Spring 2015 | Autumn 2015 | Spring 2016 | Autumn 2016 | Spring 2017 | Autumn 2017 | Spring 2018 | 1. / 2014 | 2. / 2014 | 3. / 2015 | 4. / 2015 | 1. / 2015 | 2. / 2015 | 3. / 2016 | 4. / 2016 | 1. / 2016 | 2. / 2016 | 3. / 2017 | 4. / 2017 | 1. / 2017 | 2. / 2017 | 3. / 2018 | 4. / 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 240 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
conservator::competences
Lähettäjä: Tuula Auer 4.2.2009
2014 polytechnics::bachelor level
Government Decree on Polytechnics (15.5.2003/352; 4 §)
amk::amk-tutkintojen kieliopinnot
AMK-tutkintoon johtavien opintojen tavoitteena on, että tutkinnon suorittaneella on riittävä viestintä- ja kielitaito oman alansa tehtäviin sekä kansainväliseen toimintaan ja yhteistyöhön. (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakoulusta 1129/2014, 4 §).