IM Course descriptions:
General and Language and Communication Studies
Personal Study Plan (PSP)
Code: OPIS0039
Credits: 0 ECTS
Prerequisites: -
Learning Outcomes:
Content: All Master’s degree students make a Personal Study Plan (PSP) in the beginning of theirs studies. PSP is an informal agreement between the student and the Faculty (student advisor/teacher) and it can be rechecked and corrected during the studies. General PSP comprises a timetable of the courses the student is planning to take. It also includes information about thesis, estimated graduation time and some open questions. PSP forms are available online.
More information about PSP is given during the orientation days and in the programme meetings arranged in the beginning of the academic year.
Study Materials: Handbook of the Programme, Websites of University of Vaasa
Teaching Methods:
Modes of Study: Personal Study Plan PSP
Languages: Finnish, English
Grading: pass/failed
Responsible Person:
Teacher(s): Head of the Program, Coordinator of International Education
Responsible Unit: Faculty of Technology
Additional Information: more information on PSP on the internet:
Information Skills I OPIS0025, 1 ECTS
Content: General principles of information seeking, basic information retrieval techniques, information resources and library services needed in the studies, ethical use of retrieved information.
Learning outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student is able to recognise different kinds of information resources and apply various information retrieval tools in an efficient way.
Teaching methods: Obligatory lecture 2 h, online training.
Assessment: Online assignments and multiple choice exams.
Language: English.
Literature: Online course material.
Time: First autumn or spring semester.
Contact person: Information specialistHeidi Troberg, Tritonia
For more information:
Writing Academic English KENG9212, 5 ECTS
Previous studies: Basic studies in English (5 ECTS)
Course aim: B2-C1
Aim: The student becomes aware of the characteristic features of academic writing, can identify, practice and master the principles of academic writing, and can apply them. The student develops critical and analytical reading skills, and can produce and review academic texts. The student also recognizes the challenges s/he faces as the user of English as a foreign language, and learns what constitutes plagiarism and academic dishonesty.
Contents: The students will be introduced to the notions of audience, purpose, register and style as they pertain to academic writing. They will also learn about the structure and organization of academic texts such as summaries, definitions, data commentaries, reviews, research plans and research papers. The students will practice analytical reading, and identify rhetorical strategies used in academic writing. The students will also develop critical reading and note-taking skills, as well as learn and apply the principles of documentation. In addition, attention will be brought to frequent patterns produced by users of English as a foreign language in academic texts.
Teaching: 30 hours
Requirements for the credit units: The students produce short written assignments and a longer final written assignment. They should also participate actively in class.
Course literature: The Harbrace College Handbook and other materials as instructed.
Evaluation: On a scale of 1 – 5 / fail
Contact person: Course provided by the Language Centre.
Finnish for Foreigners I
Code and credits: KSUO.5111,5 ECTS
Aim: The student has basic knowledge of Finnish pronunciation. She/he is able to communicate in everyday life situations, to read simple texts and to write about a familiar subject, such as her/his own life.
Contents: Basic grammar and vocabulary for everyday life in Finnish. Short introduction to Finnish culture.
Teaching: Lectures and exercises 60 hours
Requirements for the credit units: Participation in lectures and exercises. Oral and written exercises in class.Passing grade for the vocabulary work.A written exam.
Course Literature:
1. White, Leila (2012): From Start to Finnish. A shortcourse in Finnish (chapters 1−24) orGehring, Sonja & Sanni Heinzmann (2010): Suomen mestari I. Suomen kielen oppikirja aikuisille. According to the lecturer’s instructions
Supplementary material:
White, Leila (2008): A Grammar Book of Finnish or White, Leila (2008): Suomenkielioppiaulkomaalaisille.
Evaluation: on a scale of 1−5 / fail. The grade consists of attendance and active participation in class, assessment of work done during the course and a written exam at the end of the course.
Contact person: MarjutMännistö
Language of instruction: To be taught in Finnish and English.
Philosophy of Science
Code: FILO1011
Credits: 3 ECTS
Prerequisites: -
Learning outcomes: On completing the course the student will know basic questions of philosophy of science and ethics of science and problems related to concept and theory formation and explaining in science.
Content:
Teaching methods and Modes of Study: 10 hours of lectures on the starting points, objectives and requirements of scientific thinking and research. A book exam.
Study Materials:
1) A. F. Chalmers, What Is This Thing Called Science? or J. Elster, Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences or J. Elster, Explaining Social Behavior: More Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences and
2) Alex Rosenberg, The Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction. Second Edition.
Languages: Finnish and English
Grading: On a scale of 1-5 / fail.
Responsible Person:
Responsible Unit: Faculty of Business
Additional information: The course is specifically meant for those international students who are doing or preparing to do their Bachelor's thesis or Master's thesis.
Responsible Person: University lecturer TommiLehtonen
Teacher: University lecturer TommiLehtonen.
Responsible Unit: Faculty of Philosophy.
Method studies:
Probability and Statistics
Todennäköisyyslaskentajatilastotiede
Code: MATH1170
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites: Basic differential and integral calculus
Learning Outcomes: The student can summarize data in terms of statistics and diagrams, can calculate probabilities of events and conditional probabilities, can apply the most important discrete and continuous probability distributions, joint distributions, moment generating functions, and sampling distributions. The student can apply the method of least squares and conduct inference concerning one and two means, variances, and proportions, correlation, and concerning linear regression coefficients.
Content: Population and Sample, descriptive statistics, probability of events, conditional probability, continuous and discrete random variables and their distributions, joint distributions, moment generating functions, sampling distributions, inferences concerning one and two means, variances, and proportions, the method of least squares, correlation, and regression inference.
Study Materials:
Johnson/Freund/Miller: Probability and Statistics for Engineers, Chapters 1-11
Teaching Methods: lectures 40h and exercises 20h
Modes of Study: Exam
Language: English
Grading: scale 1-5 or failed
Responsible Person: Bernd Pape
Teacher: Bernd Pape
Responsible Unit: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Additional Information: This course with a main focus on probability calculus is targeted mainly at Faculty of Technology students as a replacement for Tilastotieteenperusteet (Introduction to Statistics STAT1030) which has a stronger focus on statistics. It is not possible to earn credits for both Tilastotieteenperusteet and Probability and Statistics (or Basic Course in Statistics STAT1020). This course is strongly recommended as a prerequisite for the course Probability and Stochastic Processes.
Statistical Data Processing SAS EG
Tilastollinentietojenkäsittely SAS EG
Code: STAT2110
Credits: 5 ECTS (5 op)
Prerequisites: introduction to statistics or basic course in statistics and data processing
Learning Outcomes: the student will be able to choose and apply an appropriate statistical method, to use a statistical software, to interpret the results of statistical analyses
Content: creating data sets, variable transformations, performing statistical analyses (univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics, statistical hypothesis testing: tests for the means, tests of the homogeneity of variances, tests related with statistical dependence non-parametric tests, linear regression, analysis of variance and factor analysis) with a statistical software, interpretation of the results of statistical analyses
Study material: courses lecture notes and user guides of the software
Teaching Methods: lectures 20 h and demonstrations 20 h
Modes of Study: 1) attendance to demonstrations and lectures and practical work OR 2) exam and practical work
Languages: language(s) of instruction: English; completion language(s): Finnish/English
Grading: passed/fail (modes of study 2: scale 1-5 or fail)
Responsible Person: Christina Gustafsson (
Teacher(s): Christina Gustafsson
Responsible Unit: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Additional Information: the statistical software is SAS EG and the instruction language is English, courses web-page is
Operations Research
Operaatioanalyysi
Code: ORMS1020
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites: basic studies in mathematics
Learning Outcomes: introduction to mathematical modelling of economic and technical phenomena appearing both in scientific study materials and real life
Content: basic concepts and principles in mathematical modelling, different types of models, basic structure of a Linear Programming (LP) model, formulation and solving the LP model and interpreting its solution, sensitivity analysis, examples of other basic OR models (inventory models, dynamic programming, network models, simulation), examples of computer tools for OR models
Study Materials: lecture and exercise material
Teaching Methods: lectures 36 h and exercises 15h
Modes of Study: exercises and midterm exams or exam
Languages: Language of Instruction English, Completion Language Finnish/English
Grading: scale 1-5 or fail
Responsible Person: TommiSottinen
Teacher(s): Ehsan Azmoode
Responsible Unit: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Additional Information: registration in advance, lectures held every other year in Finnish and every other year in English, 2015-2016 in English
Statistical Analysis of Contingency and Regression
Code: STAT1010
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites: Introduction to Statistics
Learning Outcomes: provide the student with sufficient skills to analyze the dependence between statistical variables, introduce the student to the use of statistical software in multivariate statistical analysis
Content: contingency tables, non-parametric methods, ANOVA and regression analysis, statistical software used in the exercise: SAS Enterprice Guide
Study Materials:
1. ACZEL, AMIR D.: Complete Business Statistics, McGraw-Hill
2. Milton/Arnold: Introduction to Probability and Statistics, McGraw-Hill
3. Moore/McCabe: Introduction to the Practice of Statistics, Freeman
Teaching Methods: lectures 36 h and exercises 12h
Modes of Study: exam
Languages: English, Finnish/English
Grading: scale 1-5 or failed
Responsible Person: Bernd Pape
Teacher(s): Bernd Pape
Responsible Unit: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Additional Information: exercise groups also in Finnish
Financial Time Series Analysis
Code: STAT3100
Credits: 8 ECTS (8 op)
Timing: spring
Prerequisites: Econometrics I
Learning Outcomes: introduce the students to the latest in univariate time series methods and econometrics for analyzing quantitative financial information
Content: the course covers both basic and advanced concepts of modern linear as well as nonlinear financial time series modeling, the focus is on the predictability of asset returns, event study approaches, equilibrium models, modelling fixed income securities and term-structure models and microstructure issues
Study materials:
MILLS, T. and R. Markellos (2008): The Econometric Modelling of Financial Time Series, Third Edition, Cambridge University Press
ALEXANDER, C(2008) Practical Financial Econometrics, Wiley
TAYLOR, S.J. (2005), Asset Price Dynamics, Volatility and Prediction, Princeton University Press, New York
additional reading package
Teaching Methods: 42 h lectures
Modes of Study: written examination + term paper (research proposal for Ph.D. students)
Languages: English
Grading: scale 1-5 or fail
Responsible Person: Seppo Pynnönen and Johan Knif (Hanken)
Teacher(s): Seppo Pynnönen
Responsible Unit: Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Additional Information: joint course with Hanken Vaasa course is arranged every second year, next time spring 2017
Essence of Physics
Keskeinenfysiikka
Code: FYSI1070
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites: -
Learning Outcomes: to provide the students with a compact overview of the basic physical phenomena and physical interactions, to help understand how they impact the choices and decisions of everyday life and work
Content: departments and quantities, classic mechanics, gravitation, thermal science, fundamentals of electromagnetism, optics, nuclear physics and radioactivity, five (5) independently performed laboratory assignments (measurements and reports)
Study Materials: lecture notes and other material announced during the course
Teaching Methods: lectures 24 h, exercises 12h, introduction lectures of laboratory work 4 h, 5 laboratory assignments (1/5 proportion of the course)
Modes of Study: approved midterm exams or exam, a minimum of 20 % approved weekly exercises required, as well as five laboratory assignments with reports
Language of Instruction: Finnish and English
Completion Language: Finnish and English
Grading: scale 1-5 or fail
Responsible Person: Jaakko Yli-Ojanperä
Teacher(s):
Responsible Unit: Department of Electrical Engineering and Energy Engineering
Supplementary and other Bachelor´s and intermediate level IM courses:
Basic Course in Quality
Tuotanto- ja palvelutoiminnan laatu
Code: TUTA1060
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites:-
Learning outcomes: student will gain an understanding on the Basics of Quality Management, the Role of Quality and Quality Management Systems, Processes and Scorecards in various Businesses and various possibilities for the Development of Quality Procedures within a company on a Yearly Cycle
Content: History of Quality Management, Quality Management Systems, Processes, Balanced Scorecards, Continuous Improvement, Self-Assessment, Audits and Reviews, Quality Standards, Quality Problem Solving Techniques and Tools, Quality Award Frameworks
Study Materials:
1.Book: Total Quality Management and Operational Excellence: Text with Cases.
John S. Oakland. ISBN: 978-0-41563550-9. London – Routledge, 4th edition (June 14, 2014).
2. Other course material provided by the lecturer
Teaching methods: 30 h lectures
Modes of Study: Written exam and participation in possible visitors lectures
Languages: English
Grading: Scale 1-5 or fail
Responsible person: University teacher Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Teacher: University teacher Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Responsible Unit: Department of Production
Additional information: available only to students of the B.Scprogramme in Computer Sciences and Industrial Management and to students who have been granted right to minor in Industrial Management.
Introduction to Product Development
Code: TUTA2200
Teacher: University teacher Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Additional information: self-study course, contact the teacher for further information
Introduction to Production Management
Code: TUTA2170
Teacher: Head of the programmePäiviHaapalainen
Additional information: self-study course, contact the teacher for further information
Basic Course in Logistics
Basic Course on Logistics
Code: TUTA2160
Credits: 5 ECTS
Prerequisites: TUTA2170 Introduction to Production Management andTUTA1090 The Real Processes of a Company -courses
Learning Outcomes: student will gain an understanding on the Basics and Challenges of International Logistics, Activities, Processes, Scorecards and Systems, as well as the Counterparts in Logistics
Content: Strategic and Financial Logistics, Logistics and Information Technology, SCM, Order, Inventory, Warehousing and Transportation Management, International Logistics
Study Materials:
1. Book: Contemporary Logistics, 11/E. Paul R. Murphy, A. Michael Knemeyer.
ISBN-10:0132953463. Prentice Hall, 2015.Published 01/10/2014.
2. Other course material provided by the lecturer
Teaching Methods: 30 h lectures
Modes of Study: written exam and participation in possible visitor lectures
Languages: English
Grading:
Responsible Person: Daniel Sahebi
Teacher(s): Daniel Sahebi
Responsible Unit: Department of Production
Additional Information: available only to students majoring in Industrial Management and to students who have been granted the right to minor in Industrial management
GlobalSourcing and Procurement
Kansainvälinenhankinta- jaostotoiminta
Code: TUTA2140
Credits: 5 ECTS (5 op)
Prerequisites:
Learning Outcomes: student will gain an understanding on the Strategic Roles of Sourcing, Procurement and Suppliers in Global Value Chain and Business Environment, understand various Sourcing Strategies, Processes, Organisation Models and Scorecards, able to perform Supply Research and understand the strategic difference between Outsourcing, Onshoring and Offshoring. Content: Role of Purchasing in the Value Chain, Purchasing Strategy and Management Process, Category Management, Supply Research, Performance Measurement, SCM, Outsourcing. Study Materials:
1. Book: ”Purchasing and Supply Chain Management: Analysis, Strategy, Planning and Practice” by ArjanJ.vanWeele, 5th edition, ISBN: 978-1-4080-1896-5, 2010, Cengage Learning EMEA
2. Book: ”Delivering Customer Value through Procurement and Strategic Sourcing – A professional Guide to Creating a Sustainable Supply Network”, Walter L. Wallace, Yusen Xia. Pearson Education Inc., 2015, USA. ISBN-10: 0-13-388982-3.
3. other course material provided by the lecturer
Teaching Methods: lectures 30 h
Modes of Study:Written exam, written group work and participation in possible visitor lectures
Languages: language(s) of instruction: English -; completion language(s) English
Grading: Scale 1–5 or fail, 65% written exam and 35% group work
Responsible Person: Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Teacher(s):Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Responsible Unit: Department of Production and Department of Marketing
Additional Information: this course is available for the master students in Industrial Management and Marketing.Same course as MARK2019
Product Lifecycle Management
Tuotteen elinkaaren hallinta
Code: TUTA2210
Credits: 5 ECTS (5 op)
Prerequisites: basic studies in Industrial Management
Learning Outcomes:student will gain an understanding on the Basic Principles and Role of PLM in a Company, Challenges of creating a Product Structure and Strategy within a Company regarding of the Industry in case and understanding the preconditions of PLM in e-Commerce
Content: Basics of PLM and PLM Systems integration with other Business Applications, Product Structures and Strategies, Benefits and Challenges of a PLM System in various Industries, e-Business and PLM
Study Materials:
1. Book: Product Lifecycle Management .Antti Saaksvuori, Anselmi Immonen. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-642-09684-6.
- Other course material provided by the lecturer
Teaching Methods: lectures 30 h
Modes of Study: written exam
Languages: language(s) of instruction: English; completion language(s): English
Grading: scale 1-5 or fail
Responsible Person:Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Teacher(s): Katariina Pukkila-Palmunen
Responsible Unit: Department of Production
Additional Information: this course is available only for major students in Industrial Management and to students who have been granted the right to minor in Industrial Management.