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The Aalto Doctoral Programme in Science comprises of 6 research fields confirmed by the Academic Committee of the School (Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics, Systems and Operations Research, Engineering Physics, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering and Management). The research fields can be found here.

Education objectives and intended learning outcomes of the programme

After completing the degree the doctoral student is able to carry out independent and original academic research.

Doctoral education at Aalto University is conducted within a multidisciplinary international scientific community that provides opportunities for field-specific and multidisciplinary research, as well as for various forms of education and learning. High quality education, transferable skills training, and network-building ensure the development of doctoral students as independent researchers and experts of their research fields.  The offered communication and language skills training supports the doctoral students to communicate about their research in the national languages Finnish and Swedish or in English.

The education prepares doctoral students for academic careers at top-level institutions. It provides competencies to pursue various career paths also outside of academia, for example working at demanding expert positions or as entrepreneurs. 

The doctoral degree is a requirement to serve as a thesis advisor for doctoral students and as an examiner for a doctoral thesis.

Intended learning outcomes of general research studies

Depending on the studies chosen for this module, the doctoral student will be able to:

• to comprehend and conscientiously address the fundamental ethical and sustainability considerations associated with their research.
• choose and apply appropriate research methods to the research question at hand.
• adhere to the principles of responsible conduct of research (RCR) in both their research work and interactions within the research community.
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and international environment, engaging with diverse stakeholders.
• proficiently present their research in both scientific and professional settings. 
• identify, utilize and communicate their transferable skills, such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, project management skills, leadership skills and pedagogical skills, to work successfully in academic and other professional positions.
• Communicate professionally in the national laguages(s) and /or in English.
   

The aim of the module is to provide doctoral students with knowledge of the basic concepts of science, the key characteristics of scientific research and scientific knowledge, familiarisation with the most important research methods of their research field, and to develop their transferable skills.

Intended learning outcomes of research field studies

After completing this module, the doctoral student will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced discipline-specific knowledge.
• identify essential research methods for their own research and apply them proficiently.
• disseminate research findings through relevant research forums and to the wider public.

The aim of the research field studies is to support the writing of the doctoral thesis and prepare the doctoral students for research and other demanding work that requires expertise.

The general research studies prepare students for research work, the application of research results and to learn the principles of responsible conduct of research. General research studies can include transferrable skill studies.

The research field studies and the doctoral thesis help students to gain comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of their research field and prepares them for the dissemination of research findings.

In addition to the courses taught at the School of Science, the degree can include other courses taught in Aalto University or in other universities, as agreed on in the doctoral personal study plan of the student (DPSP).

The courses included in the doctoral degree must be doctoral level courses or master level courses. Courses suitable for the doctoral degree are indicated with the letter L in the course code (doctoral level course, e.g., PHYS-L1234) or with a letter E in the course code (master level course, e.g., PHYS-E1234 Interesting course). Some advanced courses have letter D in the end of the name of the course indicating suitability for the doctoral degree. No bachelor level courses (with letters A or C in the course code) can be included in the research field studies. One bachelor level course with the letter C (max. 5 ECTS) can be included in the general research studies (e.g. PHYS-C1234). Courses denoted by A-code cannot be included in the doctoral degree.

If the student does not want to finish the doctoral degree, the licentiate degree can be completed as an intermediate degree. The licentiate degree consists of an approved licentiate thesis and the same 30 ECTS of studies as for the doctoral degree.

Planning the studies

Based on the Degree Regulations on Doctoral Education, doctoral students must prepare a doctoral personal study plan (DPSP), which includes plans for the contents, scope and duration of their studies, research, supervision, funding and career. Students who wish to deviate from the confirmed curriculum of their programme must obtain approval for their doctoral personal study plan.

Completing the programme in different languages 

The Doctoral Programme in Science is a multilingual programme. The degree language of a doctoral student is decided when the right to study is granted. Usually the degree language is the language in which the student writes their doctoral thesis. Students can also complete credits in other languages of the doctoral programme according to the degree requirements. 

The doctoral thesis forms the majority of the studies in the programme, even though it does not award credits. The thesis language is the language in which the thesis is written. If the thesis includes articles in different languages, the thesis language is the language of the summary. 

• More information on language of doctoral thesis /en/doctoral-education/language-of-doctoral-thesis-and-degree  

It is possible to complete your studies mainly in English or mainly in the national languages. If you want to complete the required credits mainly in the national languages, you can find instructions on what kind of selections you need to make on the page Language of doctoral studies and degree /en/doctoral-education/language-of-doctoral-thesis-and-degree. 

The languages used in studying 

The course tables on this page show the language of instruction and possible supplementary languages of instruction of the course implementations. The language of instruction is the language in which the teaching is provided, while the supplementary language of instruction is a language used alongside the language of instruction. The teaching offered in the supplementary language of instruction depends on the course: for a detailed description of the languages used in a given course, see the course’s MyCourses page.  

You can complete study attainments, such as examinations or course assignments, using either the language of instruction or the supplementary language of instruction. In some courses, the language of study attainments may also be a language that is not used in teaching. The languages of study attainments offered are specified in Sisu under each study unit implementation. 

Compulsory courses

*Courses are compulsory for those doctoral students in the research field of industrial engineering and management who have received their study right after 1 August 2017.

Elective courses

* These are independent online courses, to be completed at findocnet.fi in English, Finnish or Swedish. Registration by email to udes@aalto.fi. More information at aalto.fi.

** These are independent studies, to be agreed with the supervising professor and completed in the agreed timeframe in English, Finnish or Swedish. More information.

Restrictions

Module (General research studies) cannot consist solely of conference presentations or language courses.

One bachelor-level course (denoted as PHYS-C1234) of max. 5 ECTS can be included in the degree in General research studies (never in the Research field studies).

Compulsory courses

* Course is compulsory for those doctoral students in the research field of computer science who have received their study right after 1 August 2022. Course is optional for those doctoral students in the research field of computer science who have received their study right after 1 January 2021. The course can be included either in the Research field studies -module or in the General research studies -module.

** The course can be included either in the Research field studies -module or in the General research studies -module.

*** Courses are compulsory for those doctoral students in the research field of industrial engineering and management who have received their study right after 1 August 2018.

Elective courses

*In addition to the courses taught at the School in Science, the degree can include other courses taught in Aalto University or in other universities, as agreed in the doctoral personal study plan of the student (DPSP). (See also the Intended learning outcomes of research field studies.)

** These are independent studies, to be agreed with the supervising professor and completed in the agreed timeframe in English, Finnish or Swedish. More information.

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic related to the research field that the doctoral student has chosen and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Science and the supervising professor. The approval of the thesis includes a public defence after a pre-examination process. The accepted forms of theses are monographs, article-based doctoral theses and research paper-based doctoral theses.

Intended learning outcomes of doctoral thesis

After successfully defending their thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• plan, execute, and report on their research and manage their data in accordance with established standards of academic research.
• proficiently search for, critically evaluate, apply, and synthesize existing knowledge; formulate research questions; and employ scientific research methods to create new knowledge. 
• independently carry out research that generates novel insights and theoretical advancements in their own field of research.
• make syntheses and critical assessments required for addressing and resolving complex problems in the realms of research, innovation, and societal challenges.

A doctoral thesis is a public document and is kept for public display at the university. All thesis works are public in Finland (law 621/1999). 

The primary target degree for postgraduate students at Aalto University is the doctoral degree. However, in the fields of technology and business it is still possible to complete a licentiate degree before or instead of the doctoral degree.

The licentiate thesis is written on a topic related to the student's chosen research field, which must have been approved by the supervising professor and the doctoral programme committee of the School of Science. The approval of the thesis includes a presentation of the thesis at the department after an examination process.

As a licentiate thesis may also be approved a number of scientific publications or manuscripts vetted for publication deemed sufficient by the university which deal with the same set of problems and a paper summarising the findings or some other work which meets corresponding scientific criteria. The publications may include co-authored publications if the author's independent contribution to them can be demonstrated.

Intended learning outcomes of licentiate thesis

After successfully completing their licentiate thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to: 

• discuss and present knowledge related to the field of research
• independently and critically apply scientific research methods

A licentiate thesis is a public document and as such, it shall be kept available electronically at the university. All thesis works are public in Finland (law 621/1999).

The degree structure of the programme in Sisu also includes a module called “Extracurriculum studies”. This module will not be included in the doctoral degree, but it can be used to register for courses which the doctoral student wishes to take in addition to their degree studies.

These can be e.g.

Finnish as a foreign language: /en/language-and-communication-studies/finnish-as-a-second-language 

Language and communication courses for doctoral students: /en/language-and-communication-studies/language-and-communication-courses-for-doctoral-students 

Other language and communication studies: /en/language-and-communication-studies/teaching 

Researcher and working life skills: /en/doctoral-education/doctoral-courses-and-curriculum#6-researcher-and-transferable-skills-courses 

Cross-institutional studies mean that you can complete studies at another Finnish Higher Education Institution. If your programme belongs to a cross-institutional study network, you can take courses agreed in the agreement at another Finnish Higher Education Institution. Aalto University has several cross-institutional networks, and for some of the agreed courses in network, you can now enroll through the cross-institutional study functionalities in Sisu. To check the network rights included in your study right please see Sisu under My Profile > Study rights tab. 

How to enroll and more information about the studies

Department of Computer Science has established a study cooperation agreement with Master’s programmes in Data Science and Computer Science of University of Helsinki as of 1 January 2021. The agreement applies only to doctoral students in the Department of Computer Science.

How to apply and more information about the courses

 Additional information

• Please note that courses with the level of intermediary studies from University of Helsinki cannot be included in your doctoral degree in Aalto.
• If the course you wish to take in University of Helsinki is not in your study plan in Aalto, please discuss first with your supervising professor. Either the study plan including the course or a separate approval by your supervising professor should be included in the application.

Questions?

• Questions about the study plan →  please contact Doctoral Programme in Science at doctoral-sci-elec@aalto.fi.

Questions about the application process →  please contact sari.salmisuo@aalto.fi.

Department of Applied Physics (School of Science) and Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering (School of Electrical Engineering) have entered into a study cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Science of University of Helsinki as of 14 October 2021. The agreement applies only to doctoral students in the research field of Applied Physics (SCI) and research fields of Photonics and Nanotechnology and Radio Science and Engineering (ELEC).

How to apply and more information about the courses

Additional information

• Please note that courses with the level of intermediary studies from University of Helsinki cannot be included in your doctoral degree in Aalto.
• If the course you wish to take in University of Helsinki is not in your study plan in Aalto, please discuss first with your supervising professor. Either the study plan including the course or a separate approval by your supervising professor should be included in the application.

Questions?

• Questions about the study plan →  please contact Doctoral Programme in Science at doctoral-sci-elec@aalto.fi.
• Questions about the application process →  please contact sari.salmisuo@aalto.fi.

General research studies (5-20 ECTS)

Corresponding courses for doctoral students at DIEM who have received the study right after 1.8.2017:

• Research Methods in Industrial Engineering and Management D (5 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: TU-53.1401, TU-53.401, TU-22.191, TU-22.1191, TU-91.3001; TU-0.3000
• Qualitative Research Methods D (3-6 ECTS)
  • Corresponding course: TU-L0030
• Statistical Research Methods D (5-8 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: TU-22.1197, TU-L2020, TU-L0020, TU-L0021

 Doctoral students at DIEM who have received the study right before 1.8.2017:

• Research Methods in Industrial Engineering and Management D (5 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: TU-53.1401, TU-53.401, TU-22.191, TU-22.1191, TU-91.3001; TU-0.3000

Research field studies (20-35 ECTS)

Corresponding courses for doctoral students at DIEM who have received the study right after 1.8.2018:

• Advanced Organizational Theory D (a joint course with Aalto BIZ and Hanken, 5 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: 21L11109; TU-22.1196
• Doctoral Course in Strategy, Venturing, Operations, and Organizations D (8 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: TU-L1000; TU-L1001; TU-L1002; TU-L1003; TU-L2000; TU-L2001; SCI022Z-LZ01; TU-L3000; TU-22.1193; TU-22.1199; TU-91.900; TU-91.3007

Doctoral candidates at DIEM who have received the study right before 1.8.2018:

• Doctoral Course in Strategy, Venturing, Operations, and Organizations D (8 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: TU-L1000; TU-L1001; TU-L1002; TU-L1003; TU-L2000; TU-L2001; SCI022Z-LZ01; TU-L3000; TU-22.1193; TU-22.1199; TU-53.1710; TU-91.900; TU-91.3007