Introduction to ICT Projects (10 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

This course provides students with an understanding of how to work effectively as team members on customer projects in the ICT field. It also offers foundational knowledge on various ICT-related topics.

Students will collaborate in teams to deliver ICT-based solutions tailored to the needs of the clients who represent a wide range of industries.

Through participation in these projects, students will develop essential working life skills—such as teamwork, communication, time management, a professional attitude, responsibility, and problem-solving abilities.

Project teams are typically international, and English is usually the official language of communication. This enhances students’ competence in multicultural communication and collaboration.

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
Work as a team member and/or project manager in an ICT project.
Customer communication.
Substance knowledge on ICT field.
Work-life skills and soft skills including team work, communication, communication in English, time management, professional attitude and self-management skills.

Content

Project work in an international project team in ICT projects.
Substance knowledge of different ICT field -related topics.
Working life skills (team working, communication, time management, professional attitude and taking responsibility) and problem-solving skills.

Materials

- Various internet sources, links & descriptions online
- Lecture slides
- theFIRMA's and course's itslearning

Teaching methods

The theoretical part of the course consists of lectures, independent study, and group work.

In the project component, students work primarily onsite with their project teams, simulating a real-world software development environment.

Exam schedules

No Exam

To successfully pass the course, students must achieve a passing grade in both the assignment and project work components.

If a student does not pass the course, they must re-enroll and participate in the course during its next available offering, typically in the following academic year.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

Practical assignments and reports
Project work
Self-study

Completion alternatives

Project work part can be done in a company, if student has a ICT-related job. This has to be agreed separately with responsible teacher.

Student workload

This course is worth 10 ECTS credits, which corresponds to a total of 270 hours of student work.
The course runs during the autumn semester of 2025.

To pass the course, students must:
- Submit all required assignments on time.
- Participate in in-class assignments and activities.

Course Components

1. Theoretical part:
- Lectures and in-class activities: 13 sessions × 3 hours = 39 hours
- Assignments and self-study: 89 hours
- Small group meetings: 10 hours
- theFirma information sessions: 9 hours
- Guest lectures: Participation in 4 guest lectures and submission of a reflective report: 15 hours

2. Practical part:
- Project work: 81 hours, with the majority conducted on-site
- Project managers are required to attend a weekly project meetings and project manager peer groups (included in the project hours)
- For other project members, attendance at the weekly meeting is voluntary.

The average workload is approximately 20.8 hours per week.

Evaluation methods and criteria

The course is divided into two main components: theory and project work. The final grade is calculated as a weighted average:
- Theory (assignments, attendance, guest lecture report): 70%
- Project work (performance and hours): 30%

1. Theory Component (Maximum: 200 points)
Assignments (Maximum: 140 points):
- 6 assignments total:
- 2 assignments are graded on a pass/fail basis (10 points each).
- 4 assignments are graded on a 0–30 point scale.
- Late submissions will result in a 50% point reduction.

Guest Lecture Report (Maximum: 30 points):
- Students must attend 4 guest lectures and submit a written report.
- The report is graded on a 0–30 point scale.

Attendance (Maximum: 30 points):
- Attendance is tracked for 13 lectures and 10 small group meetings (23 sessions total).
- Points are awarded based on attendance percentage:

Attendance % Points
- Less than 50%=0 points
- 50-59,9%=10 points
- 60-69,9%=15 points
- 70-79,9%=20 points
- 80-100%=30 points

Total Possible Points (Theory): 200

Grade Scale (Theory Component):
Fail: 0 – 59 points
grade 1: 60 – 89 points
grade 2: 90 – 119 points
grade 3: 120 – 149 points
grade 4: 150 – 179 points
grade 5: 180 – 200 points.

2. Project Work Component (Maximum: 81 points)
- Students must complete 81 hours of project work.
- 1 hour = 1 point

Project Evaluation Includes:
- Self-assessment
- Peer assessment
- Feedback from the project manager
- Customer feedback (if available)

Important: If a student fails to submit the peer assessment, they will automatically receive a grade of 1 for the practical part, regardless of other performance.

Note: Missing hours affect the final grade:
- Every 15 hours not completed results in a one-grade reduction from the project evaluation grade.

Failed (0)

Less than 60 points from the theory part and project working hours not completed.

No show, not carrying out responsibilities, disappearing from team work, lack of communication with other team members.

Student has to pass assignments and project work to complete the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Grade 1: under 90 points from the theory part and completing project work hours.
Grade 2: under 120 points from the theory part and completing project work hours.

Poor, but satisfactory performance both in independent work and team work. Low participation on lectures and other activities.

Student has to pass assignments and project work to complete the course.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Grade 3: under 150 points from the theory part and completing project work hours.
Grade 4: under 180 points from the theory part and completing project work hours.

Good performance both in team work and independent work. Active participation on lectures and other activities.

Student has to pass assignments and project work to complete the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5: 180 - 200 points from from the theory part and completing project work hours.

Excellent performance both in team work and independent work. Active participation on lectures and other activities.

Student has to pass assignments and project work to complete the course.

Further information

The course's and theFIRMA itslearning and Microsoft Teams