Curriculum and Equivalence between curricula

The instruction belongs to the following themes

By selecting a degree programme you are able to see the general content as well as the possible degree programme-specific content. You do not have to select a degree programme to see the Open University's instructions.

The curriculum of your degree programme specifies the structure and learning objectives of your degree, as well as the learning objectives, content and competence assessment methods of the modules and courses included in the degree. Get to know the curriculum of your degree programme right at the beginning of your studies and plan your studies using the instructions on the Personal study plan page.

By selecting your degree programme from the menu above, you will see a link to the entire curriculum of your programme. You will also see the degree structure of your degree programme as well as information on the modules and courses in Sisu after you have completed the study plan. The degree structures are also presented on the page Degree structure and scope of the degree. You can find the curricula for the doctoral programmes on the page Scope and structure of doctoral degrees.

Teaching is based on curricula. When you have completed a course, it will be graded. Usually, one or more course completion methods (e.g., lectures, an examination or a seminar) are offered during each academic year. Many courses are also available as open university education to degree students, too. You can read more about the teaching programmes for each academic year and about open university education at Where can I find courses?

The faculty councils make decisions on the curricula, and the curricula are valid always for three academic years. Currently all teaching is arranged according to the 2023–2026 curricula.

If you are studying according to the previous curriculum or you have older previous studies, please see the instructions of your own degree programme below for equivalence between curricula. When the curriculum period changes, you are entitled to transfer to complete your studies in accordance with the new curriculum. The faculty council can set a deadline after which students must transfer to complete their studies in accordance with a more recent curriculum.

Curriculum and Equivalence table in Master's Programme in Food Sciences
General information about the curricula
Old curricula and equivalence tables at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (older than 2017)

Curriculum and Equivalence table in Master's Programme in Food Sciences

  • Master's Programme in Food Sciences

Curriculum 2023-26

Curriculum for Master's Programme in Food Sciences 2023-26 (pdf) will take effect from 1.8.2023.

Key changes compered to curriculum 2020-23 (pdf).

Equivalencies between old and new courses can be found in Sisu from the course information page.

Curriculum 2020-23

You can graduate according the 2020-23 curriculum until 31.7.2026, but you can also transfer to study according the newer curriculum. 

Curriculum for Master's Programme in Food Sciences 2020–2023, updated for 2021-23 (pdf)

Equivalence table between old curricula and curriculum 2020-23.
 

Changes in curriculum 2020-23 compared to 2017-20:

  • scope of the advanced studies has changed to 85 credits including the study module where Master's thesis is done,
  • code and scope of FOOD-119 Literature Exam, Packaging Technology, 5 cr has changed > FOOD-118, 3 cr and
  • code and scope of FOOD-606 Literature Exam, Food Technology, 4-5 cr has changed > FOOD-608, 2-6 cr 
  • FOOD-114 Experimental Design and Quality Control is not arranged anymore from 2020-21 on.

 

General information about the curricula

  • Bachelor's Programme in Biology
  • Bachelor's Programme in Molecular Biosciences
  • Bachelor's Programme in Environmental Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Master's Programme in Genetics and Molecular Biosciences
  • Master's Programme in Integrative Plant Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Neuroscience
  • Master's Programme in Environmental Change and Global Sustainability
  • Bachelor's Programme in Food Sciences
  • Bachelor's Programme in Agricultural Sciences
  • Bachelor's Programme in Forest Sciences
  • Bachelor's Programme in Environmental and Food Economics
  • Master's Programme in Food Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Food Economy and Consumption
  • Master's Programme in Agricultural Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Agricultural, Environmental and Resource Economics
  • Master's Programme in Forest Sciences
  • Master's Programme in Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology
  • Master's Programme in Human Nutrition and Food-Related Behaviour

Curriculum

Curricula specify the content of degrees and teaching.

Up-to-date course descriptions included in the current curriculum are searchable with the name and/or identifier of the course, for example, in the Sisu system. In addition, some of the information included in curricula is available on the Studyinfo site (the general goals of the programme, planned duration, qualification title, student admission and criteria, further study opportunities), by theme on the Instructions for Students website (e.g., courses provided, theses, degree structure and scope, exchange studies abroad, optional studies, etc.) and programme-specific PDF guides, in which case the link to the relevant PDF guide is provided in the degree programme–specific section (above) or in the University wiki in which case this is mentioned in the degree programme–specific section (above). Each degree programme has a predefined set of learning outcomes that all graduates from the programme are expected to attain. The Language Centre also has its own curriculum.

The validity of the 2017–2020 curriculum ended on 31 July 2020. The new curriculum for 2020–2023 entered into force on 1 August 2020 and will expire on 31 July 2023.

What does this mean for studies?

You will start your studies according to the curriculum valid at the time of commencing your studies. For example, if you started your studies in 2018, you have studied according to the curriculum for 2017–2020.

When the curriculum period ends, it is followed by a transition period, during which you will have the opportunity to complete incomplete study modules and your degree. As a rule, the transition period between the curricula for 2017–2020 and 2020–2023 is three years, i.e., until 31 July 2023. In exceptional cases, the transition period is shorter. This will be indicated and communicated separately.

You may also transfer to pursue your studies according to the new curriculum as soon as it enters into force. 

Teaching is carried out in accordance with the curriculum through coursework. Course delivery, e.g., the courses organised, may differ in annual curricula.

Where can curricula be examined?

In practice, the curriculum is evident through the degree structure. You can familiarise yourself with degree structures in Sisu or the degree structure tool on the Instructions for Students website (Eduviewer). You may compare curricula by changing the academic year. The degree structure for 2017–2020 is available in the degree programme–specific section above.

Examining the degree structure in Sisu:

  • Go to sisu.helsinki.fi
  • Choose ‘Structure of studies’
  • The link opens your study plan. The study plan contains information on the degree structure of your programme or study track.
  • You can view the course descriptions by clicking on the code.

Old curricula and equivalence tables at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry (older than 2017)

Old study books and equivalence tables can be found in Finnish by changing the language of the page.