Minor Tesla

Course manual 2017/2018

Course content

The backbone of the Minor consists of a project that students will work on in small groups (ca. 3 students per group). Each group works on a different project for a different external organization. During the first phase each group will take on the challenge posed by the organization and analyse it and develop a tangible and realistic project plan. After presenting this to the organization and FNWI supervisor each group will start working on the realization of their project.

Skills training:

An intensive training programme will enable students to perform successfully in their project. The trainings are provided by different trainers from within an outside of the University of Amsterdam. The trainings are focused on the competences mentioned in the learning objectives. The overall training programme is designed to offer an integral supplement to the project work. Thereby, students can utilize and improve the different skills while working on the successful realization of their project.

Next to the general training programme, students have the opportunity to fine-tune part of the training to their specific background and needs. Furthermore, each group has the opportunity to submit a proposal for additional training, research or other supporting activities necessary to bring their project to a success. The Minor coordinator assists students in making sure students make realistic and appropriate budget planning and has to give final approval.

Next to the training modules, frequent meetings on the progress of each individual student will be held. These will include both individual as peer review settings. Peer-feedback sessions in which students are guided to facilitate their peers to overcome challenges are part of the training.

Lectures and more:

During the programme a broad selection of guest lecturers will share their experience and knowledge concerning several topics related to the central theme of creating value with science in practice.

The theme will be rooted in more tangible lectures from professionals with a science background who share their personal and professional vision and experiences. Guest lecturers ranging from young professionals, to senior policy makers, scientists, entrepreneurs, business and NGO leaders, will share their insights related to their career path, the decisions they made and the ways in which they utilize their science background in their working environment.

The lectures offer the students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on different aspects of utilizing science in different professional environments, including making personal and professional choices. Next to the prescheduled lectures the students have the opportunity to select and invite guest-lecturers themselves. Thereby they have to possibility to tune the lecture series to their specific project work and interests.

Next to the lectures several excursions might be part of the Minor. As with the lectures, part of these will be student organized thereby allowing students to practice certain skills while learning more about a topic relevant to their project work and background.

In addition to the self-organized lectures and excursions, other programme related elements (such as student presentations at UvA events, communication in media) will be part of the student involvement in the organization of the programme.

Sports:

A specially developed sport trainings module is an integral part of the Tesla Minor. Every week the schedule contains several blocks in which students participate in a range of sports/trainings sessions. The overall sports programme has three aims:

1. Offering an special setting for further skills training
2. Creating an intense setting for teambuilding
3. Providing a balanced working week which optimizes performance and health

The sports programme is developed in cooperation with the University Sports Centre (USC).

Objectives

By completing the Tesla Minor the graduate is fit to start a career in demanding environments which require abilities to utilize the disciplinary science background in research, corporate, civil society, governmental and advisory work environments.

All learning objectives fall into at least one of the following categories:

(1) information processing

(2) Teamwork

(3) Project Work

(4) Communication

(5) Self-reflection.

Teaching methods

• Lecture
• Presentation/symposium
• Supervision/feedback meeting
• Self-study

Lecture: During the programme a broad selection of guest lecturers will share their experience and knowledge concerning several topics related to the central theme of creating value with science in practice.

Training: An intensive training programme will enable students to perform successfully in their project. The trainings are provided by different trainers from within an outside of the University of Amsterdam. The trainings are focused on the competences mentioned in the learning objectives. The overall training programme is designed to offer an integral supplement to the project work. Thereby, students can utilize and improve the different skills while working on the successful realization of their project.

Feedback: Next to the training modules, frequent meetings on the progress of each individual student will be held. These will include both individual as peer review settings. Peer-feedback sessions in which students are guided to facilitate their peers to overcome challenges are part of the training.

Learning activities

Attendance

The programme does not have requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

Additional requirements for this course:

n.a.

Assessment

n.a.

Inspection of assessed work

Project work will be assessed by an FNWI scientific staff member and a second examiner from within the faculty. Assessed deliverables are both orally and written reports of (different stages) of the project.

Assignments

The progress of students during the training will be recorded, monitored and reinforced by a personal portfolio in which students collect their self-reflection reports, peer reviews, reviews by trainers and other assignments. Halfway through the Tesla programme an individual evaluations will take place between students and trainers in which the personal progress and focus that is needed for the following months will be discussed. At the end of the Tesla program students will reflect on their development throughout the whole period in a final reflection report. This reflection, together with a report from the trainers on the students development, form the base for a final (not-graded) evaluation between student and trainers. As a result, next to the final grade for the project work, the student will finish Tesla with an extensive expression of their performance with regard to different skills types. This will allow them to communicate their achievements and capabilities to future employers in a more in-depth manner than with a regular grade.

Fraud and plagiarism

The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.uva.nl/plagiarism

Course structure

Timetable

The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

Honours information

n.a.

Additional information

n.a.

Contact information

Coordinator

• prof. dr. M.A. Haring

Staff

• Joris Buis MSc 020 – 525 5514; room C3.119
• T.L. Bulters MSc

• http://www.teslaminor.nl (student site)