Courses for doctoral students at Metrology Research Institute at Aalto University

Doctoral studies in general are described on page Doctoral courses and curriculum: https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/doctoral-courses-and-curriculum.  This document adds to that knowledge. Courses recommended by ELEC can be found on page Aalto Doctoral Programme in Electrical Engineering, Curriculum 2022-2024: https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-electrical-engineering/curriculum-2022-2024 

Doctoral courses, General

ELEC-L0902 Introduction to doctoral studies D (2-3 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972003-20240801/brochure 

Contents: A course highly recommended. (Compulsory to full-time doctoral candidates who have been admitted between August 1, 2015 and July 31 2020.) The course introduces some basic knowledge and skills that are valuable in doctoral studies and research work.

LC-L1000 Research Ethics for Doctoral Students D (1–2 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150975008-20240801/brochure

Contents:  This course demonstrates how the core values of research integrity (reliability, honesty, respect, and accountability) underpin all research work. We discuss how The Finnish Code of Conduct for Research Integrity sets out the shared rules for scientific research nationally, and how TENK acts as a self-regulatory body in the field.

LC 1331 Presenting Doctoral Research (o) D (3 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150933471-20220801/brochure

Contents: The course aims to support and develop doctoral students' skills in presenting their research at conferences or seminars. During the course, participants plan and structure their presentation content, design effective visuals, practice and record different versions of their presentation in small groups, while giving and receiving feedback on their visuals, content, and language use. The course may be combined with other activities, when you prepare presentation, e.g. for coming conference.  As a result, you will have an improved presentation and get credits for something you do anyway.

LC 1350 Writing doctoral research for engineering and science (w) D (3 credits)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-07f68987-705e-4418-8b2e-9306f85318d4/brochure

Contents: As part of this course, students must bring samples of their scientific writing-in-progress, as this material forms a core part of the course. During the course, students work to improve their writing, as they apply skills and techniques introduced in the course. The coursework will enable participants to write more effectively and with greater confidence for an international readership.

MEC-E9020 Patentit D (3cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-OPINKOHD-1125651003-20210801/brochure 

Contents: Kurssilla perehdytään keksintöjen ja liikeideoiden suojaamismahdollisuuksiin kotimaassa ja ulkomailla. Patentti, mallioikeus, tavaramerkki, tekijänoikeus, toiminimi ja suoja sopimatonta menettelyä vastaan. Työsuhdekeksinnöt ja keksinnöt korkeakouluissa. Riitakysymykset.

Doctoral courses, Technical

ELEC-L8745 Doctoral Course in Measurement Science and Technology D (10 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972347-20240801/brochure 

Contents: The course is of seminar type. All students prepare one 2-h lecture on their selected topic related with measurements and give the lecture to other participants. These lectures are complemented by lectures on general measurement topics such as metrology, quality, and uncertainty evaluation. Topics of the lectures are selected based on the needs and interests of the participants. Typically, they are within the doctoral research fields of the participants. These fields may include e.g. optics, physics, measuring systems, measurement electronics, chemistry, or general measurement science. Education may also be carried out using other teaching techniques, such as problem solving, and special assignments.

ELEC-E8750 Virtual Instrumentation D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972342-20240801/brochure 

Contents: Computer assisted measurements, virtual instrumentation, measurement busses, LabView programming language. This self-learning course is very usefull if you learn LabView for programming a measurement setup. While you learn the language and program the setup, take credits for it as well.

ELEC-E3210 Optoelectronics D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-c5d27e21-f885-4e15-be68-8f2ff8f4097c/brochure 

Contents: Physics, technology, and applications of optoelectronic devices based on compound semiconductors: diode lasers, light emitting diodes, photodetectors, solar cells, and modulators.

ELEC-E3250 Optical Fibers: Physics and Applications D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972186-20240801/brochure

Contents: The course provides an understanding of the principles and technologies of optical fiber. It covers optical fiber waveguide theory, the structure and performance of active fiber-optical devices, and it discusses the new technologies and developing trends of optical fibers.

The objective of the course is to acquire an understanding of the physical principles of optical fibers on a level that allows participation in research in the field. The course is ideal for those entering the fiber-optic field or wanting to broaden their knowledge of photonics.

Contents include Optical waveguide theory, planar optical waveguide, cylindrical optical waveguides, characteristics of optical fibers, attenuation, dispersion and nonlinear effects in optical fibers, transmission characteristics of optical pulses in optical fibers, and applications of optical fiber such as supercontinuum generation and high-power fiber lasers.

ELEC-E925001 Advanced physics and applications of optical fibers V D (5 cr) 

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-c4036997-36a6-44d5-953f-d717b2986b60/brochure

Contents: Taking this course will give you the opportunity to study applications of fiber optics and laser technology. The main part is a research project related to fiber lasers, supercontinuum generation or fiber sensors for which the student returns a report and gives a presentation. You may choose to work with the simulation tool RP Fiber Power from RP Photonics to understand the operation of a high-power fiber amplifier or laser or to work in an optics lab.

This course is a continuation of its prerequisites and aims to provide a deeper understanding of nonlinear phenomena in optical fibers. The main part is a research project related to fiber lasers, supercontinuum generation or fiber sensors for which the student returns a report and gives a presentation. The course includes support on scientific writing and is ideal for graduate and postgraduate students in photonics.

CS-C3240 Machine Learning D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-OPINKOHD-1142279643-20210801

Contents: Good course not only for study of machine learning, but also to learn basics of Python if you don’t know it.

CHEM-E5115 Microfabrication D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-ca0965b8-1d43-4de0-8ee2-1ab70c47ce6f/brochure

Contents: Silicon and thin film materials. Unit processes in microfabrication: lithography, etching, deposition, oxidation, doping, polishing, bonding. Process integration of CMOS and MEMS devices. Cleanrooms, process equipment, yield and reliability. Lab demo.

DICE-EV0003 Smart Wearables II D (6 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-761d9d25-ba51-4f3c-b2d2-d9f5549d9d6f/brochure

Contents:  1) Conduct a user-oriented ideation process and concept generation leading towards the creation of e-textile-based wearable systems. 2) Implement prototypes of smart wearables using advanced fabrication and/or machine learning techniques. 3) Conduct evaluation of system performance and user experience through user tests. 4) Improve team working skills in a multi-disciplinary setup.

PHYS-E0437 Laser Physics D (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-21789532-5d35-47e9-8e59-af390061c7dd/brochure

Contents:  The course introduces physical foundations for lasers, including light-matter interaction phenomena, propagation of laser beams, laser resonators, rate equations for lasers, transient laser phenomena, principles and characteristics of CV and pulsed lasers, and some topical laser applications as a case study. The course contains lectures, exercise sessions and exam.

Master level courses (possible to include some)

ELEC-E8748 Sensors and measurement methods (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972341-20240801/brochure 

Contents: The most common measurement schemes and sensors for non-electric quantities such as force, mass, acceleration, humidity, temperature, light, pressure, and flow; electrical measurements; properties of sensors; SI-system of units; measurement uncertainty evaluation.

ELEC-E8751 Optics (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972343-20240801/brochure 

Contents: Basic knowledge of optics for instrumentation purposes. Geometrical optics, wave optics, interferometry, diffraction, fiber optics, optical communications.

ELEC-E8703 assignment on illumination engineering and building electrical design V (5 cr)

Link  to sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-a3b48070-7ddd-4f75-9996-a3630037f803/brochure 

Content: This course aims to conduct scientific experiments in the lab or write a review paper on topics related to luminance or illuminance.

ELEC-E8747 Optical Design: Numerical Modelling (5 cr)

Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/aalto-CU-1150972340-20240801/brochure

Contents:  After the course, students know the basics of optical design with OpTaliX software.

ELEC-E3240 Photonics (5 cr)

Link  to sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-22c6ad42-fe22-4d85-951f-80950bbf428b/brochure 

Contents: This course mainly provides an explanation of optical fibers, their applications, and optical amplifiers. During the course, students are divided into three groups. Each group has to prepare one set of home assignments for their peers outside of their group. Therefore, students have to answer two sets of home assignments prepared by the other two groups. Moreover, each students needs to give a three-page poster presentation based on an article individually from Nature Photonics. The presentation should be done in three minutes. Additionally, each student should arrange a special video about photonics/optics and upload it to MyCourses.

MEC-E1090 Quality Management and Metrology (5 cr)

 Link to Sisu: https://sisu.aalto.fi/student/courseunit/otm-6161d0c3-027e-4295-b2f1-288ecc50a775/brochure

Contents: Total Quality, Yield, Calibration, Measurement Systems Analysis, Quality Standards, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, Statistical Process Control, Inspection, Supplier Quality Management

External courses in other universities

The Finnish Institute of Technology, Fitech

Link to FITech courses: https://fitech.io/en/ 

Contents: The Finnish Institute of Technology (FITech) is run by nine Finnish universities of technology, Technology Industries of Finland (Teknologiateollisuus), and the Academic Engineers and Architects in Finland (TEK). FITech contributes to the development of Finnish innovation capacity and responds to competence demands arising in the field of engineering. 

FITech offers university courses free of charge for degree students and adult learners in Finland. As a FITech student, you can choose courses from all technical universities in Finland. FITech offers intermediate and advanced courses e.g. on ICT, energy storage, hydrogen economy, and 5G studies.

Individual study attainments for modules

It is also possible to include individual study attainments to the degree. All individual studies need to be agreed with your supervising professor in advance in your credit plan. Below is a list of possible individual study attainments, their scope, and information on the study module in which they can be included in.

*GRS: General research studies

** RFS: Research field studies

***No half credits are registered, only whole numbers of credits.

More thorough description can be found in:  https://www.aalto.fi/en/programmes/aalto-doctoral-programme-in-electrical-engineering/curriculum-2022-2024#6-individual-study-attainments-for-the-modules