REFORMED CURRICULA: TOOL FOR PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL GROWTH FOR STUDENTS

The engineers need a good knowledge of their special technical field but also, e.g., social, analytical thinking, problem-solving, language skills, and especially how to combine their own knowledge with other specialists. Furthermore, there are always new areas of expertise that engineers should master, for example, bio and circular economy, which joins different sectors and experts together. The Lapland University of Applied Sciences (LaplandUAS) has reformed curricula of educations. The new curricula are based on competence and problem-based learning. The Mechanical Engineering curriculum consists of the academic years, and CDIO-type semester project courses are arranged in each semester. The curriculum permits flexibility to the contents, and it can be updated if there are new subjects from the engineering field to be taught for the students. For example, in the Mechanical Engineering studies, the circular economy is integrated into various courses. The students will have the know-how of the utilization of circular economy principles in their future careers. The academic year themes in the Mechanical Engineering are Learning about Work of Mechanical Engineers, Engineer's Toolbox, Creative Engineers, and Pre-Engineers. First year's semester projects are "On the way to Becoming an Engineer" and "Language of the Engineers." The second year's projects follow CDIO project steps more clearly so that C-D phases are taught in the autumn semester and I-O phases in the spring semester. The subject of the project is given by the teachers, and the students need a different kind of competence. The new curricula require collaborative teaching and development of the learning methods and environments. New themes and knowledge demand of the industry and society to future engineers direct teachers to update the content of the courses. All these new elements of the new curricula have increased the motivation of the students. Additionally, the level of dropouts has decreased, which indicates that the changes are heading in the right direction.