The curriculum in higher education is a guide or learning plan that contains the material, methods, and learning strategies to be applied in a study program. The curriculum in higher education is usually designed with the aim of producing graduates who have competencies and skills that are relevant to the needs of the workforce.
Each study program in higher education usually has a different curriculum, depending on the field of study and educational goals to be achieved. However, generally the curriculum in higher education consists of two main parts, namely the core curriculum and the elective curriculum.
The core curriculum is a part of the curriculum that must be taken by every student and includes courses related to the main field of study. The core curriculum usually includes courses such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, history, and philosophy, depending on the chosen study program.
Meanwhile, the elective curriculum is a part of the curriculum that provides flexibility for students to choose the courses they want to take. These elective courses are usually related to the student’s personal interests or needs, and can help deepen the knowledge and skills relevant to the study program being taken.
In addition, higher education institutions also have policies to update the curriculum periodically, depending on the development of science and technology, as well as the needs of the workforce. This is done to ensure that graduates of higher education have up-to-date and relevant qualifications and skills.
In designing the curriculum, higher education institutions also often collaborate with experts in their fields, industry, and the general public to ensure that the curriculum is in line with the latest developments and needs of the workforce. Higher education institutions also pay special attention to the development of soft skills, such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills, which are highly needed in the workforce.
With the right and quality curriculum, higher education institutions can help their students achieve success in the workforce and make a positive contribution to society.