Opinto-opas

Objective

The student concentrates on working independently and carries out the final year project. The student deepens his/her professional knowledge and expertise and learns to take responsibility for projects. The student learns to evaluate his/her own expertise and acquire additional knowledge or skills when needed. During this process the student applies the data acquisition methods relevant to the field of study, considers previously acquired information in relation to new information and creates new solutions and interpretations. The student will learn to consider details in relation to a broader context. The student knows how to write a report to describe, analyse and clarify the process and the results of the project.

Content

1. Applying theory into practice
2. Argumentation and justification of the choices made
3. Brainstorming, planning
4. Methods
5. Reflection
6. Data management
7. Problem solving
8. Independent working skills
The purpose of the final year project is to enhance the student’s problem solving abilities, creativity and independent working skills. The project is carried out as a scientific, operational or artistic development task, and it always includes a written report. It can be a design project, a development project, a survey, an assessment project or an operational or artistic unit. The project uses research results and applies appropriate work and research methods. The final year project is connected to professional studies, and is carried out either alone or in a small group. The student is guided in the final year project by a teacher from the degree programme together with other expert instructors, and nowadays often an instructor from working life. The purpose of the final year project is to enhance the student’s professional expertise and enable him or her to be employed in expert positions. The stages of the final year project include selection of subject, scope definition, project planning, data acquisition, material collection and analysis, development and realisation of ideas, assessment, and report writing. Even though there are similar features in the process, the final year project is always one of a kind, since the student, subject and field are different. The final year project is completed by writing a maturity test where the student proves his/her expertise in the subject matter and in Finnish.
(Stipulated in statute 352/2003 on universities of applied sciences.)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The theoretical framework of the project is narrow. There are shortcomings in using and defining concepts. The scope of the project has been defined mainly by the instructor. The use of methods and approaches is partly defective and lacks consistency. The project benefits the client satisfactorily. The student has needed support in following the schedule in different phases, or fails to do so. The project shows some professionalism and mastery of content. The language is stylistically uneven, with stylistic faults and list-like structures. The student relies heavily on prepared material in the oral presentation.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The theoretical framework of the project is relevant and well-structured. Concepts are used and defined adequately. The scope of the project is well defined and the use of methods is justified. The client benefits from the project. The student is able to set and follow a schedule independently in different phases of the project. The student is able to evaluate his/her development in relation to field-specific competences. The project shows professionalism and professional development. The text is well-structured, with good language and appropriate layout. In the oral presentation the student is able to communicate in an illustrative, communicative way, with consideration of the target audience. Source material has been used comprehensively.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The theoretical framework of the project is built on critically selected information. Concepts are used and defined analytically and thoroughly. The scope of the project is well defined and justified. The student is proficient in setting goals and uses methods and approaches innovatively and independently. The student reaches results which are widely usable to the client and significant in working life. The student is able to work independently and responsibly. The student is able to evaluate his/her development in relation to field-specific competences and development in the field. The student has reached a level of expertise in an important area related to the field of study. The report shows excellent language skills. The student is able to successfully communicate the results to different interest groups showing the ability to think critically and develop further professionally. Source material has been used critically and comprehensively.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The theoretical framework of the project is narrow. There are shortcomings in using and defining concepts. The scope of the project has been defined mainly by the instructor. The use of methods and approaches is partly defective and lacks consistency. The project benefits the client satisfactorily. The student has needed support in following the schedule in different phases, or fails to do so. The project shows some professionalism and mastery of content. The language is stylistically uneven, with stylistic faults and list-like structures. The student relies heavily on prepared material in the oral presentation.

Qualifications

The final year project is part of the practical research and development work of Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, and is often carried out as a part of wider, diversified projects of Metropolia or the surrounding community. The student can begin the final year project when he or she has completed most of the professional studies.