The curriculum 2022-2024 applies to students who have started their studies after 1.8.2022.

English: Curriculum 2022-2024 (PDF)
Finnish: Opetussuunnitelma 2022-2024 (PDF)

Aalto doctoral curriculum (more doctoral level courses)

Structure of the degree

The doctoral degree at the Doctoral programme in Electrical Engineering consists of an approved doctoral thesis and 40 credits of studies. The 40 credits of studies are divided into two study modules: general research studies of 5–20 credits and research field studies of 20–35 credits. In case you do 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 40 credits of studies as for the doctoral degree.

If you have more than 40 credits, they need to be put in the extracurricular studies.

The general research studies will prepare you for research work, the application of research results, the dissemination of research findings and for adopting the principles of responsible conduct of research. The general research studies can include transferable skill studies.

The research field studies and the doctoral thesis will help you gain a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of your research field. You can include studies from several Aalto doctoral programmes if this has been agreed on in your doctoral personal study plan  (DPSP).

General research studies, 5-20 ECTS

Learning objectives

The aim of the module is to provide you 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 your research field, and to develop your transferable skills.

After completing the module, you will:

• have improved communication and interpersonal skills as well as project management skills.
• work responsibly in the light of ethical and sustainable principles and your conduct in the scientific community will follow good scientific practice.
• have the ability to work in a multidisciplinary and international environment together with various actors.

Suggested ways to complete the module

• courses offered by the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering
• transferable skills courses offered by the Aalto Language Centre,
• courses offered by other Aalto Schools or other universities
• individual study attainments, to be agreed on with the supervising professor in advance

Restrictions

• Language courses (i.e. Finnish for international students) cannot be included in the degree.

No compulsory courses.

Research field studies, 20-35 ECTS

Learning objectives

The aim of the module is to provide you with knowledge of your research field to support your research work and the doctoral thesis. This module will prepare you for research and other demanding work that requires expertise.

After completing the module, you will:

• have knowledge of your research field at an advanced level
• know the key publication series of your field
• have specific research methodology knowledge appropriate to your research focus

Suggested ways to complete the module

• courses offered by the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering
• courses offered by other Aalto Schools or other universities
• individual study attainments, to be agreed on with the supervising professor in advance

No compulsory courses.

Courses suitable for the doctoral degree

The courses included in the doctoral degree must be doctoral level courses or master level courses suitable for the doctoral degree. Courses suitable for the doctoral degree are indicated with the letter L in the course code (doctoral level course, e.g., ELEC-L1234) or with a letter D in the end of the name of the course (ELEC-E1234 Interesting course D).

For special reasons provided by the supervising professor, two master level courses may be included in the degree. These courses have the letter E in the course code (e.g. ELEC- E1234), but no letter D in the end of the name of the course. No bachelor level courses can be included in the degree.

Courses for the general research study module, suggestions

General courses, research ethics, methodology

• ELEC-L0902 Introduction to doctoral studies D, highly recommended. (Compulsory to full-time doctoral candidates who have been admitted between August 1, 2015 and July 31 2020.)
• LC-L1010 Aalto Research Ethics, highly recommended
• MEC-E9020 Patents D
• CS-E5370 Law in Digital Society D
• Research methodology courses

Research writing

• LC-1330 Presenting Doctoral Research
• LC-1335 Preparing for the Doctoral Defence
• LC-1336 Popularize your Research
• LC-1350 Writing Doctoral Research for Engineering and Science
• LC-L1017 Asiantuntijaesittämisen valmennus jatko-opiskelijoille
• LC-L1018 Tutkimusraportoinnin tekstiretriitit jatko-opiskelijoille

Communication

• LC-L1019 Practices of science communication
• LC-0550 Communication Skills
• LC-0320 Public speaking skills
• LC-0530 Public speaking and stage fright
• LC-0520 Impact and argumentation
• LC-0340 Communication Competence in the Workplace
• LC-0330 Leadership Communications
• LC-0224 Negotiation Skills
• LC-0510 Conference Presentations
• LC-0610 Intercultural Communication
• LC-0611 Teamwork and Leadership in the 21st Century
• LC-0613 Developing Intercultural Competence

Pedagogical studies

• Pedagogical studies (max 20 ECTS)

Transferable skills (independent online courses available from findocnet.fi).

• LC-L1011 Aalto Open science for Doctoral Students D
• LC-L1012 Aalto Business Skills for Doctoral Students D
• LC-L1013 Aalto Career Course for Doctoral Students D
• LC-L1014 Aalto Interactive Leadership Skills for Doctoral Students D
• LC-L1015 Aalto Project Management for Doctoral Students D
• LC-L1016 Aalto Writing Research Grant Applications for Doctoral Students D

Evaluation of the module

No grade is given for the module. Individual courses and study attainments are graded either with the grades 1-5 or as Pass.

Courses for the research field study module

These studies are the core element of the doctoral studies and they are agreed on with your supervising professor. The courses need to be doctoral level courses in your research field, please see definition on doctoral level courses above.

Courses offerd by the departments: courses.aalto.fi

Evaluation of the module

No grade is given for the module. Individual courses and study attainments are graded either with the grades 1-5 or as Pass.

Individual study attainments for the modules

It is recommended that the required 40 ECTS are completed by taking courses offered by Aalto University and possibly other universities, but 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. Once you have been the thesis advisor for two bachelor theses and the bachelor seminars of both have ended, your supervising professor may grant you the credit. Please check the guidelines for how to get the credit registered: https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/doctoral-courses-and-curriculum?check_logged_in=1#12-custom-course-credit--applying-for-approval-for-individual-studies. 
****The study attainment includes: a rehearsal presentation in Finland, presenting a poster or giving an oral presentation at the conference and active participation in the conference

The supervising professor decides the amount of credits (within the restrictions described above) to be given as he/she should have the best information on the amount and level of difficulty of the work the doctoral student has done. 1 ECTS is equivalent to 27 hours of work. Please note that any work cannot be compensated multiple times. 

Doctoral thesis / licentiate thesis

Doctoral thesis

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic related to your research field and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Electrical Engineering.

The doctoral thesis shall contribute to new scientific knowledge. The approval of the thesis includes a public defence after a pre-examination process. The accepted forms of doctoral theses in the School of Electrical Engineering are monographs and article-based doctoral theses.

After completing the doctoral thesis, you will:

• have competences to carry out independent and original academic research
• have high competences to search for and apply knowledge and the ability to independently formulate research questions and use scientific research methods to create new scientific knowledge
• be able to make such syntheses and critical assessments as are required to solve and process complex problems in research and innovation and in other areas of society.

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

Doctoral theses and licentiate theses are evaluated on a scale of Pass/Fail.

Find more information about the doctoral thesis and its evaluation process.

Licentiate thesis

The licentiate thesis is written on a topic related to your research field and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Electrical Engineering.

The accepted forms of licentiate theses in the School of Electrical Engineering are monographs and article-based licentiate theses.

After completing the licentiate thesis, you will:

• be conversant with your field of research
• be able to independently and critically apply scientific research methods

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

Approval of the thesis includes a public presentation at the department. Doctoral theses and licentiate theses are evaluated on a scale of Pass/Fail.

Find more about the licentiate thesis and its evaluation process.

Studies at other universities

You can find information on studies at other universities here.

Doctoral students in the research fields of Photonics and Nanotechnology and Radio Science and Engineering
– study cooperation agreement with University of Helsinki

The Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering (School of Electrical Engineering) and the Department of Applied Physics (School of Science) 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 fields of Photonics and Nanotechnology and Radio Science and Engineering (ELEC) and the research field of Applied Physics (SCI).

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 at [email protected].
• Questions about the application process →  please contact [email protected].