CSC’s training as a part of Aalto University’s curriculum
Aalto University now offers a new module in Scientific Computing Skills, through which students can collect ECTS for Aalto Scientific Computing, CodeRefinery and CSC’s training courses. CSC provides a wide range of training for researchers and students in scientific computing and data management, helping them use CSC’s services effectively and confidently.
At Aalto, it has long been recognized that the gap between typical university course or exercise and real computational research can be challenging. Researchers often need many practical skills that are not taught in standard academic curriculum. To bridge this gap, Aalto University and CSC are working closely together. The new Scientific Computing Skills course brings together existing training offered by Aalto, CSC and collaborative initiatives like CodeRefinery and packs them into a coherent and useful whole.
An easy way to gain practical skills
The Scientific Computing Skills umbrella course is a collection of training courses that guide researchers through practical tools and tricks they would otherwise have to learn on their own or from colleagues. CSC’s courses offer hands-on training with advanced computing and CSC’s national services. Students gain practical skills using Finland’s internationally competitive computing resources, which go beyond what is typically taught at university.
CSC courses also bring together participants from different universities and research organizations, offering a chance to meet peers and consult with CSC experts. In this way, CSC’s offerings complement and deepen the scientific computing training provided at Aalto.
While the Scientific Computing Skills course is open to all researchers at Aalto, it particularly targets doctoral researchers. The goal is to fill gaps in their computational skills while allowing them to earn ECTS credits. CSC’s training courses are included among the hands-on courses doctoral researchers can choose from, enabling them to earn up to 5 ECTS credits.
Toward a smoother student experience across Finnish higher education
Students have previously been able to earn credits for CSC courses, but they had to collect course certificates with suggested ECTS values and find a professor at their own university to validate them. Through the Aalto module, CSC course completions can now be recorded in the university system via Aalto’s Scientific Computing team. This streamlines the students’ journey by eliminating the need to negotiate credits individually.
CSC is working with lecturers and professors across Finnish higher education institutions to ensure that students can integrate CSC trainings into their study plans and earn credits. The goal is to replicate the model now in use with Aalto University at other institutions, further embedding CSC’s courses into higher education in Finland. This will enable more researchers to incorporate practical scientific computing training into their studies.
If you want to discuss about training collaboration between your organization and CSC, please contact Atte Sillanpää.
Authors: Ulla Lehtonen, Samantha Wittke, Eeva Nyrövaara and Atte Sillanpää
Photo: Adobe Stock.
Atte Sillanpää
Atte Sillanpää promotes the usage of CSC computing capacity for research through direct support, documentation and software installations.
