1/23/2009

DEGREE PROGRAMME IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Finnish Degree Programme

Degree programme leads to BBA degree (Bachelor of Business Administration, Tradenomi), and the extent of studies is 210 ECTS credits.

The objective of the Programme

The main objective of the programme is to provide to the students knowledge and skills of library and information services environment, sources of information, information technology and abilities in life-long learning and study skills for their future work.

The core of the studies is dedicated to the basic skills and knowledge in different competence areas which should be known to all actors in the field and also the possibilities to complete the skills is provided.

Special knowledge in each field can be developed by directing him/herself to a certain vocational specialisation according to the Personal Study Plan, PSP.

The things related to customer centric view of services provisioning, knowledge and media, practical skills in information services, good management of computers and networks and marketing, cooperation and communication skills are emphasised in the learning process.

Students will also get acquainted with the models of enterprise activities in modern society and get skills for working in and running an enterprise. The vocational specialisation can also be build by combining matters and subjects from the Program’s own and other university level of offerings. The graduates are employed mainly by libraries and enterprise information services departments.

The structure

Bachelor Degree of 210 cr consists of basic studies (5 cr), language and comminication studies (16 cr) vocational studies, free choice studies (15 cr), work placement (30 cr) and bachelor´s thesis (15 cr).

The precise content of the studies is defined in PSP. PSP is created in the beginning of the studies and is modified yearly as the studies proceed. The student should accomplish the study skills and professional growth course and do also the communication skills and foreign language studies. A foreign language when started should reach the amount of 10 cr minimum. All students should go for the work placement, write the thesis and also do the free choice studies during the his/her studies.

Basic studies

The objective for basic studies is to give good knowledge in the assignments and role of library and information services in society, national and international field. Theoretical background is created for work placement and for customer work.

In the Vocational Studies the student will deepen the knowledge in the field of studies and creates the basis for the personal development on his/her future career. The problem solution skills in information services field is achieved. Practical acquaintance in work environment, information technology applications and work processes is provided.

Advanced Vocational specialisation is directed towards gaining a good competence in a specific line of professionalism and a project work is completed on this field. The Bachelor’s Thesis is accomplished by working with an outside employer, if possible, in such matters that are important and of interest for the employer. It will complete the skills in one field of specialisation or give a possibility to gain new competencies. Especially the advanced vocational studies typically contain several real-life research and development projects that are implemented together with the local companies and the other degree programmes and universities in the area.

Practical work placement consists of 20 weeks of working time and gives 30 credits. The objective is to be acquainted to different work roles and occupational alternatives and ways of working together with knowledge and skills development possibilities. The organisational practises and the network of social contacts within an organisation are achieved. Production processes, productivity, profitability and entrepreneurship are good things to know before graduation. Work placement is completed mainly during the second and the third study year.

The ten first weeks of work placement are called the basic work placement and done during the second study year. The rest mainly during the third year and creates more professional period called the vocational work placement. The division and timing for the work placement is anyhow flexible. Control, management and guidance for the work placement are provided by the school and an agreement is planned to be written for it with the companies or institutions. A student has to write a work placement plan and it is handled and if appropriate accepted by the University. A learning diary of the work placement is kept by the student and an assessment of the work placement is done by the instructors from the outside institution and the University together.

Competence areas and study fields of the degree program are defined by the outside potential employers and the University together based on the skills needed in the field.