Curriculum for the Master's Programme in Techno-Anthropology, 2020, Aalborg

1: Preface

Pursuant to consolidation Act 778 of August 7, 2019 on Universities (the University Act), the following is established. The programme also follows the Joint Programme Regulations and the Examination Policies and Procedures for Aalborg University.

2: Basis in Ministerial orders

The Master’s programme is organised in accordance with the Ministry of Higher Education and Science’s Order no. 20 of January 9, 2020 on Bachelor’s and Master’s Programmes at Universities (the Ministerial Order of the Study Programmes) and Ministerial Order no. 22 of January 9, 2020 on University Examinations (the Examination Order). Further reference is made to Ministerial Order no. 153 of February 26, 2020 (the Admission Order) and Ministerial Order no. 114 of February 3, 2015 (the Grading Scale Order).

3: Campus

The programme is offered in Aalborg.

4: Faculty affiliation

The Master’s programme falls under The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Aalborg University.

5: Study board affiliation

The Master’s programme falls under Study Board of Techno-Anthropology and Sustainable Design.

6: Affiliation to corps of external examiners

The Master’s programme is associated with the external examiners corps on Nationwide engineering examiners/Mathematics, Physics and Social Studies (Basic Courses)

7: Admission requirements

Applicants with a legal right of admission (retskrav)

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Techno-Anthropology (AAL), Aalborg University

Applicants without legal right of admission

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Teknoantropologi (CPH), AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Arkitektur og Design, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Art and Technology, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bioteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in By-, Energi- og Miljøplanlægning, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bygge- og Anlægskonstruktion, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Byggeri og Anlæg med specialisering i Bygge- og Anlægskonstruktion, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Byggeri og Anlæg med specialisering i Indeklima og Energi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Byggeri og Anlæg med specialisering i Vand og Miljø, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Byggeri og Anlæg med specialisering i Veje og Trafik, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Bæredygtigt design, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Datalogi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Elektronik og IT, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Energi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in IT, Communication and New Media, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Internetteknologier og Computersystemer, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Kemiteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Kommunikation og Digitale Medier, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Maskin og Produktion, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Maskinkonstruktion, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Medialogy, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Miljøvidenskab, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nanoteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Psykologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Robotics, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sociologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Software, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sundhedsteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Sustainable Biotechnology, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Byggeri og Anlæg, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Byggeri og Industri, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Bæredygtig Energiteknik. AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Eksportteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Kemi og Bioteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Maskinteknik, AAU
• Bachelor of Engineering (B Eng) in Nanoteknologi, AAU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Antropologi, AU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Antropologi, KU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Market and Management Anthropology, SDU
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Humanistisk Teknologi, RUC
• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Naturvidenskab, RUC
• Bachelor in Bioanalytisk diagnostik, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Bioanalytisk diagnostik, Absalon
• Bachelor in Bioanalytisk diagnostik, VIA UC
• Bachelor in Bioanalytisk diagnostik, UC Syddanmark
• Bachelor in Bioanalytisk diagnostik, Lillebælt UC
• Bachelor in Radiografi, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Radiografi, UCN
• Bachelor in Radiografi, Lillebælt UC
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, Metropolitan UCC
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, Absalon
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, Lillebælt UC
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, UC Syddanmark
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, VIA UC
• Bachelor in Sygepleje, UCN
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, Absalon
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, Lillebælt UC
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, UC Syddanmark
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, VIA UC
• Bachelor in Ergoterapi, UCN
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, UCC
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, Absalon
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, Lillebælt UC
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, UC Syddanmark
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, VIA UC
• Bachelor in Fysioterapi, UCN
• Bachelor in Jordemoderkundskab, Metropolitan UC
• Bachelor in Jordemoderkundskab, UC Syddanmark
• Bachelor in Jordemoderkundskab, UCN

All applicants without a legal claim must prove that their English language qualifications is equivalent to level B (Danish level) in English

8: The programme title in Danish and English

The Master’s programme entitles the graduate to the Danish designation Cand.scient. i teknoantropologi. The English designation is: Master of Science (MSc) in Techno-Anthropology.

9: Programme specifications in ECTS credits

The Master’s programme is a 2-year, research-based, full-time study programme. The programme is set to 120 ECTS credits.

10: Rules concerning credit transfer (merit), including the possibility for choice of modules that are part of another programme at a university in Denmark or abroad

The Study Board can approve that passed programme elements from other educational programmes at the same level replaces programme elements within this programme (credit transfer).

Furthermore, the Study Board can, upon application, approve that parts of this programme is completed at another university or a further education institution in Denmark or abroad (pre-approval of credit transfer).

The Study Board’s decisions regarding credit transfer are based on an academic assessment.

11: Exemptions

The Study Board’s possibilities to grant exemption, including exemption to further examination attempts and special examination conditions, are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published at this website: https://www.studieservice.aau.dk/regler-vejledninger

12: Rules for examinations

The rules for examinations are stated in the Examination Policies and Procedures published at this website: https://www.studieservice.aau.dk/regler-vejledninger

13: Rules concerning written work, including the Master’s Thesis

In the assessment of all written work, regardless of the language it is written in, weight is also given to the student's formulation and spelling ability, in addition to the academic content. Orthographic and grammatical correctness as well as stylistic proficiency are taken as a basis for the evaluation of language performance. Language performance must always be included as an independent dimension of the total evaluation. However, no examination can be assessed as ‘Pass’ on the basis of good language performance alone; similarly, an examination normally cannot be assessed as ‘Fail’ on the basis of poor language performance alone.

The Study Board can grant exemption from this in special cases (e.g., dyslexia or a native language other than Danish).

The Master’s Thesis must include an English summary. If the project is written in English, the summary can be in Danish. The summary is included in the evaluation of the project as a whole.

14: Requirements regarding the reading of texts in a foreign language

It is assumed that the student can read academic texts and use reference works, etc., in English.

15: Competence profile on the diploma

The following competence profile will appear on the diploma:

A Candidatus graduate has the following competency profile:

A Candidatus graduate has competencies that have been acquired via a course of study that has taken place in a research environment.

A Candidatus graduate is qualified for employment on the labour market based on his or her academic discipline as well as for further research (PhD programmes). A Candidatus graduate has, compared to a Bachelor, developed his or her academic knowledge and independence so as to be able to apply scientific theory and method on an independent basis within both an academic and a professional context.

16: Competence profile of the programme

A graduate of the Master’s programme in Techno-Anthropology can:

Knowledge

• explain and compare a broad selection of socio-technical theories, that, in selected areas, is based on the highest international research
• explain and critically reflect on a broad selection of qualitative, interactional, interventional and ethnographic methods of relevance to technology and innovation that in selected areas is based on the highest international qualitative research
• identify and critically evaluate key processes of technological development, including research strategies, development principles, institutional conditions, industrial dynamics, political regulation and knowledge controversies
• identify, explain and compare different perspectives on exemplary technology cases from different technological domains
• paraphrase and critically evaluate professional literature used in different technological domains

Skills

• develop new analyses and assessments of social, societal and ethical conditions, challenges and implications of complex technologies
• contribute through research-based advice on the management of social, societal and ethical conditions, challenges and implications of complex technologies
• engage in dialogue on professional, disciplinary and interdisciplinary topics with stakeholders, and representatives of different professions and disciplines within selected technological domains
• apply a broad selection of interactive, interventional, experimental and ethnographic methods

Competencies

• participate in initiation, mediation and facilitation of interdisciplinary team-based innovational processes
• participate in the management of complex work and processes related to the development of sustainable technological solutions that are professional and socially responsible
• support the transformation of technological opportunities into socially responsible products and systems that require new solutions
• take responsibility for own professional development and specialization

17: Structure and Contents of the programme

The programme is structured in modules and organised as a problem-based study. A module is a programme element or a group of programme elements, which aims to give students a set of professional skills within a fixed time frame specified in ECTS credits, and concluding with one or more examinations within specific exam periods. Examinations are defined in the curriculum.

The programme is based on a combination of academic, problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approaches and organized based on the following work and evaluation methods that combine skills and reflection:

• lectures
• classroom instruction
• exercises (individually and in groups)
• case analysis
• project work
• project-oriented study group
• teacher and supervisor feedback
• seminars and workshops
• reflection

18: Overview of the programme

All modules are assessed through individual grading according to the 7-point scale or Pass/Fail. All modules are assessed by external examination (external grading) or internal examination (internal grading or by assessment by the supervisor only).

Electives

If less than 8 students have signed up for an elective course, the course will be offered as a project-oriented study group.

International or national credit

After previous approval by the Study Board, the 3rd semester may be transferred to another educational institution. Previous approval (pre-credit) may be expected if these studies can give the student appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies.

Commencement of studies exam

The commencement of studies exam does not provide any ECTS and will not appear at the Master’s diploma.

Aim
The purpose of the commencement of studies exam is to determine if the enrolled students have commenced the study programme. Thus, the students must participate in the commencement of studies exam in order to stay enrolled at the study programme. If a student does not participate in the commencement of studies exam, the student’s enrollment at the study programme will be terminated shortly after the date of the (second) commencement of studies exam. The commencement of studies exam will take place during the first couple of weeks after semester start.

Content
The commencement of studies exam is based on the study introduction programme and contains a series of general questions regarding e.g. the student’s expectations and reasons for choosing the study programme.

Re-examination:
If a student does not participate in the commencement of studies exam, he/she will have the opportunity to participate in a second commencement of studies exam. If a student does not participate in neither of the two commencement of studies exams, the student’s enrollment at the study programme will be terminated no later than October 1. The study board can grant an exemption in case of extraordinary circumstances.

Assessment method
Written examination

Evaluation method
Internal examination. The students will receive the assessment ’approved’ or ’not approved’ based on their participation in the commencement of studies exam. A student will receive the assessment ‘approved’ by participating in and answering the commencement of studies exam.

Right to complain
A student has a right to file a complaint about the assessment of the commencement of studies exam to the university. The complaint must be filed to the university at sl-klager@adm.aau.dk no later than two weeks after the student is informed about the result of the commencement of studies exam. In case the university does not rule in favor of the student, the decision may be appealed to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education if the appeal concerns legal issues.

19: Additional information

All students who have not participated in Aalborg University’s PBL introductory course during their Bachelor’s degree must attend the introductory course “Problem-based Learning and Project Management”. The introductory course must be approved before the student can participate in the project exam. For further information, please see the Department of Planning’s website. 

20: Commencement and transitional rules

The curriculum is approved by the dean and enters into force as of September 1, 2020. The curriculum takes effect for students who per September 1, 2020 begins their 1^st and 3^rd Semester.

The Study Board does not offer teaching after the previous curriculum from 2019 after the summer examination period 2020.

The Study Board offers examinations in modules under the previous curriculum, if there are students who have used examination attempts in a module without passing. The number of examination attempts follows the rules in the Examination Order.

21: Amendments to the curriculum and regulations

The Vice-dean has on November 26, 2020, approved to add a commencement of studies exam to section § 18. The Vice-dean has also appoved that the type of exam in the module Interdisciplinary Knowledge Production will be changed from Active participation/continuous evaluation to Oral exam based on a project. A prerequisite for enrollment for the exam has been added at the same time. The changes enters into force as of Autumn 2021.