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

Curriculum 2022-2024 (PDF)

Aalto doctoral curriculum (more doctoral level courses)
 

Structure of the degree

The doctoral degree at the Doctoral Programme in Science consists of an approved doctoral thesis and 40 ECTS of studies. These studies comprise two study modules: general research studies of 5-20 ECTS and research field studies of 20-35 ECTS. If the student doesn’t 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 ECTS of studies as for the doctoral degree.

The general research studies prepare the student 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 transferrable skill studies.

The research field studies and the doctoral thesis help students gain a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of their research field. Doctoral studies can include studies from several Aalto doctoral programmes when agreed on in the doctoral personal study plan of the student (DPSP).

Content of studies

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.
 

General research studies, 5-20 ECTS

Learning objectives

The aim of the module is to provide doctoral candidates 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.

After completing the module, doctoral candidates

• have improved communication and interpersonal skills and project management skills.
• work responsibly in the light of ethical and sustainability considerations and their 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.

The content of the module is confirmed individually for each doctoral candidate following the requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Science. The content is to be agreed on with the supervising professor in advance. There is no maximum number of credits of individual studies in this module, but it is highly recommended that the module doesn’t consist of only individual studies.

The module may include the following:

• Postgraduate-level and advanced-level courses in:
   
  • LC-1333 Navigate your doctoral studies while learning about equity, diversity, and inclusion (3 ECTS), highly recommended
  • Research ethics courses, highly recommended (see below)
  • Research methodology courses
  • History or philosophy of science
     
• Transferable skills and competences:
   
  • Aalto University Communication courses, see Aalto Doctoral Curriculum (Language and communication courses)
  • Nationally jointly developed courses (offered via https://findocnet.fi/):
     
    • LC-L1010 Research Ethics for Doctoral Students D (1-2 ECTS)
    • LC-L1011 Open Science for Doctoral Students D (1-2 ECTS)
    • LC-L1012 Business Skills for Doctoral Students D (1 ECTS)
    • LC-L1013 Career Course for Doctoral Students D (1 ECTS)
    • LC-L1014 Interactive Leadership Skills for Doctoral Students D (1 ECTS)
    • LC-L1015 Project Management for Doctoral Students D (1 ECTS)
    • LC-L1016 Writing Research Grant Applications for Doctoral Students D (1 ECTS)
       
• Pedagogical studies: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/pedagogical-training-main-page
   
• Individual study attainments, to be agreed with the supervising professor:

Restrictions

• Language courses (i.e. Finnish for international students) cannot be included in the degree.
• Module cannot consist solely of conference presentations.
• One bachelor-level course (denoted as PHYS-C1234) of max. 5 ECTS can be included in the degree in this module.

Compulsory courses

Compulsory courses: Industrial Engineering and Management

Doctoral candidates in the research field of industrial engineering and management must complete the following three methodology courses:

• TU-L0000 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering and Management D (5 ECTS)
• TU-L0022 Statistical Research Methods D (5-8 ECTS)
• TU-L0031 Qualitative Research Methods D (3-6 ECTS)

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

Evaluation of the module

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

Research field studies, 20-35 ECTS

Learning objectives

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

After completing the module, doctoral candidate:

• has deep and broad discipline-specific knowledge of the chosen field of research
• is able to disseminate the research results through relevant research fora and to a wider audience
• is eligible to act as a thesis advisor for doctoral students and as the examiner for a doctoral thesis.

These studies are the core element of the doctoral studies, decided jointly by the doctoral student and their supervising professor.

Content of the module

The content of the module is confirmed individually for each doctoral candidate following the requirements of the Doctoral Programme in Science. The content is to be agreed on with the supervising professor in advance. There is no maximum number of credits of individual studies in this module, but it is highly recommended that the module doesn’t consist of only individual studies.

The module may include the following:

• Doctoral-level and advanced-level courses, which support the doctoral thesis
• Individual study attainments, to be agreed with the supervising professor:

Compulsory courses

Compulsory courses: Computer Science

Doctoral candidates in the research field of computer science must complete the following course:

• CS-L9000 Introduction to doctoral studies in computer science D (3 ECTS)

Course is compulsory for those doctoral candidates in the research field of computer science who have received their study right after 1 August 2022. Course is optional for those doctoral candidates 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.
 

Compulsory courses: Engineering Physics

Full-time doctoral candidates in the research field of engineering physics must complete the following course:

• PHYS-L0666 Midterm review D (10 ECTS)

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

Compulsory courses: Industrial Engineering and Management

Doctoral candidates in the research field of industrial engineering and management must complete two courses:

• TU-L0010 Advanced Organizational Theory D (a joint course with Aalto BIZ and Hanken, 5 ECTS)
• TU-L1004 Doctoral Course in Strategy, Venturing, Operations, and Organizations D (8 ECTS)

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

Evaluation of the module

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

Doctoral or licentiate thesis

Doctoral thesis

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic related to the research field that the doctoral candidate has chosen and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Science and the supervising professor. 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 theses are monographs, article-based doctoral theses and essay-based doctoral theses.

Learning outcomes of doctoral thesis:

• the graduate has competences to carry out independent and original academic research
• the graduate has high competences to search for and apply knowledge, the ability to independently formulate research questions and use scientific research methods to create new scientific knowledge
• the graduate is 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 public display at the university. All thesis works are public in Finland (law 621/1999).  

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

See more about the evaluation process of the thesis from the degree regulations on doctoral education and from the web pages of the doctoral programme regarding doctoral thesis.

Licentiate thesis

The licentiate thesis is written on a topic related to the research field that the doctoral candidate has chosen and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Science and the supervising professor. The thesis shall demonstrate good conversance with the field of research and the capability of independently and critically applying scientific research methods. Approval of the thesis includes a public presentation at the department.

The accepted forms of theses are monographs, 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 summary of 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.

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

Licentiate thesis is evaluated on a scale of Pass/Fail.

See more about the evaluation process of the thesis from the degree regulations on doctoral education and from the web pages of the doctoral programme regarding licentiate thesis.
 

Courses offered by the departments

• Department of Applied Physics

• Department of Computer Science

• Department of Industrial Engineering and Management

• Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

• Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis

Studies at other universities

Studies under the flexible study right agreement (JOO)

Based on a national agreement on flexible study rights (JOO), a student who has a right to complete a degree at a Finnish university (home university) may apply for a fixed-term right to pursue studies at another Finnish university (target university). The flexible studies must be included in the student's degree at the home university. Students may apply for a JOO study right for an individual course or module (e.g. a minor). The agreement covers both graduate and post-graduate students.

Doctoral students can apply at any time, but it is advisable to apply within the application periods, preferably during the term before the course begins. At the latest, apply four weeks before the course registration begins.

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

Doctoral students in Computer Science - cooperation with University of Helsinki

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 and gives you a possibility to take courses without applying the flexible study right.

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 [email protected].

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

Doctoral students in Applied Physics (SCI) – cooperation with University of Helsinki (quantum technology)

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

Industrial Engineering and Management: corresponding courses from earlier curricula

General research studies (5-20 ECTS)

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

• TU-L0000 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
• TU-L0031 Qualitative Research Methods D (3-6 ECTS)
  • Corresponding course: TU-L0030
• TU-L0022 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:

• TU-L0000 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:

• TU-L0010 Advanced Organizational Theory D (a joint course with Aalto BIZ and Hanken, 5 ECTS)
  • Corresponding courses: 21L11109; TU-22.1196
• TU-L1004 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:

• TU-L1004 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