The Applied Physics Department provides comprehensive undergraduate courses in basic physics for Quantum Technology and Engineering Physics students, covering quantum physics, applied mathematics, programming, engineering, teamwork, and communication. For Bachelor's programmes in Finnish and Swedish, visit their respective webpages.

The Bachelor's Thesis and Seminar is a 10 cr study module that is a compulsory part of the Bachelor's degree. The department’s research groups provide topics and supervision for bachelor’s theses on various topical fields of physics.

The major aligns with the Applied Physics Department's focus on materials physics and quantum technology. In materials physics, the emphasis is on discovering nanoscale materials, exploring electronic structure, nanomagnetism, and more. Quantum technology studies cover advanced quantum mechanics, nanoelectronics, and quantum computing architectures. The programme is overseen by Professor Mika Sillanpää.

The program focuses on clean energy solutions, offering analytical skills for diverse topics like energy materials, systems, and renewable technologies in response to climate change and green economy challenges. The programme is overseen by Professor Andrea Sand.

Students’ special assignments are an essential part of the master’s studies. The research groups at the Department of Applied Physics provide topics and supervision for special assignments, which are often completed during a summer internship at the department.

The company internship is a course designed between the student, a designated advisor at a company, and a professor within the physics department. The aim of of the course is to initiate and complete a project within the company during a 12-week timeframe.

The Department of Applied Physics employs a large number of teaching assistants on its courses. Most assistants are graduate students, but the department also hires interested undergraduates to help with these tasks. In case you are interested in becoming a teaching assistant and/or being included in relevant mailing lists, please send an email of your teaching interests/experience together with on extract of your study register to [email protected]. Salary level depends on details, but is roughly 30-40 euros per hour with extra bonuses from various tasks related to teaching.

For the course studies in the doctoral education, it is strongly recommended that the students select courses directly relevant and closely related to their research field. A large number of graduate level lecture courses are given at the department and, in addition to the lecture courses, it is recommended that postgraduate students participate in summer schools and workshops in Finland and abroad. 

Workshops and schools are credited in doctoral studies. Also acting as an assistant in departments physics courses is awarded by credit points. It is also possible to obtain credits by self-study of relevant books and review articles.

The majority of the doctoral programme consists of candidates' research carried out as part of their individual research plans. View the full list of research groups in the Department of Applied Physics via the link below.

The midterm review is for all Department of Applied Physics PhD students enrolled with an MSc degree after January 1st 2013. It is compulsory for full-time students, and encouraged for part-time students (the deadlines are scaled accordingly in the latter case).

The midterm review must be undertaken no later than 18 months after starting the PhD. Note that this is similar to the deadline to get the Aalto bonus for completing your credits, so you may want to do the midterm a little earlier.