guide for doctoral students 22062010[1]

8/8/2019 Guide for Doctoral Students 22062010[1]

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Guide for Doctoral

Students

Committee for Research Affairs and Doctoral Education

Edited by:Anneli Ahvenniemi

Ida BjrkbackaJohanna Sderholm

Ingeborg Rask

Otaniemi, 1 August 2007, updated 22 June 2010

The guide is available onhttp://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/doctoral/guide


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CONTENTS

FOREWORD 3

1. COULD YOU BECOME A DOCTORAL STUDENT? 4

1.1 Purpose 41.2 Qualifications 51.3 Links to research programmes and the study environment 61.4 Schedule 71.5 Licentiate or doctorate? 7

2. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 8

2.1 Strategics and organisation of research activities 8

2.2 Research ethics 92.3 Organisation of research activities 92.4 The link between research and tuition 10

2.5 Research activities in international interaction 112.6 The impact of research 11

2.7 Intellectual property rights and utilising research results 12

3. DOCTORAL STUDIES 143.1 Degrees and the objective of doctoral education 14

3.2 Management of doctoral education at Helsinki University of Technology 153.3 Eligibility for doctoral studies and prerequisite knowledge 153.4 Applying for the right to pursue doctoral studies 17

3.5. Assessment of the applicants and granting the right to study 183.5.1 Full-time and part-time doctoral studies 193.5.2 Continuing your studies after obtaining a Licentiate of Science(Tech.) degree 20

3.5.3 Registering at the School of Science and Technology 203.6 Structure of doctoral degrees 21

3.6.1 Theoretical studies 223.6.2 Thesis 24

3.7 Personal study plan for doctoral studies 243.7.1 Internationalisation as a part of the study plan for doctoral

students 253.7.2 Confirmation of degree requirements 25

3.8 Doctoral studies guidance 253.8.1 Supervisor 26

3.8.2 Instructor 263.9 Thesis 27

3.9.1 Licentiate thesis 273.9.2 Doctoral dissertation 28

3.10 Grading and diplomas for doctoral degrees 30

4. FINANCING DOCTORAL STUDIES 31

4.1 National doctoral programmes 314.2 Assistantships 31

4.3 Research projects at the School of Science and Technology 314.4 Financing research teams 32

4.5 Scholarships and grants 334.6 Student financial aid 34


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ANNEXES

Annex 1 Postgraduate research fields at the Aalto University School of Scienceand Technology

Annex 2 National doctoral programmes supported by the Ministry of Education

and Culture coordinated by the Aalto University School of Science andTechnologyand other doctoral programmes in which the School of Science and

Technology is involved

Annex 3 Government Decree on University Degrees 794/2004

Annex 4 Degree Regulations of the Aalto University School of Science and

Technology2005

Annex 5 Aalto University School of Science and TechnologyDissertations Committee instructions for doctoral dissertations


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1. COULD YOU BECOME A DOCTORAL STUDENT?

1.1 Purpose

Doctoral education at the Aalto University School of Science and Technology is

doctoral education and it is scientific in nature. In studies leading to theLicentiate or Doctor of Science (Technology) degree, the student becomesconversant with the development, basic problems and research methods ofhis/her own field of research (Government Decree on University Degrees,Section 21, 794/2004).

Doctoral education is exclusively researcher training, in which learning is

integrated with research, following the basic idea of the university. This age-oldprinciple still seems a valid method that enables profound understanding ofissues better than any other method of learning. Therefore, the training and

experience of researchers is still considered an advantage when beingemployed by industry, consultancies, the government, and anywhere ineducation, even if the position as such is not directly linked with research. A

good relationship between industry and the university also requires that theresearch carried out within industry involves doctoral-level researchers.

In the future, the knowledge and skills gained through a doctorate will be in

increasing demand in business and industry and public administration. As theFinnish economy becomes increasingly knowledge-intensive, the educationalrequirements for the work force will escalate. New jobs are mainly createdwithin fields that require high skill levels, and can produce innovations.Therefore, the significance of a doctoral education will grow in several

disciplines. Hence, as the importance of top expertise becomes crucial, industrywill employ a substantially larger proportion of doctoral graduates than it does

at present. To meet this demand, it has been proposed that the number of

doctoral degrees awarded in the field technology be increased substantially.!

Those of you intending to become professional researchers are well-advised tobegin your doctoral degree as early as possible and complete it quickly. Thereis no reason to make the doctoral dissertation your main scientific publication oryour life work. Instead, the dissertation is meant to be like a driving licence forthe academic community, its purpose merely being to show that the researcheris capable of independent scientific work. Those of you who complete yourdoctorates at an early age will have the opportunity to begin your actual

research career at a time when you are at your most creative. To speed updoctoral studies and to improve the quality of dissertations, universities haveestablished national doctoral programmes with funding from the Ministry ofEducation and Culture. Attending a national doctoral programme is a

particularly recommended option for those of you who are planning to embarkon an academic research career after completing your doctorate. Some

faculties at the School of Science and Technology also have their own graduateschools or student researcher positions funded by the university. Doctoralstudents at the School of Science and Technology can also apply forresearcher training scholarships.

!Tohtorinkoulutuksen kehittminen. Opetusministerin tyryhmmuistioita ja selvityksi

2006:3. Tekniikan alan korkeakoulutuksen ja tutkimuksen kehittminen. Opetusministerintyryhmmuistioita ja selvityksi 2005:19.


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With the internationalisation of companies, the number and level of challenges

will also increase. Participating in foreign exchange during doctoral studiesprovides you with the competence to meet the business demands of

internationalisation. In terms of their key technologies, companies strive toremain at the forefront of development. Therefore it may be necessary for themto produce scientific research on their core business areas in collaboration withuniversities. Continuing scientific education prepares you well for this, tooperate in the vanguard of technology. When working in the technology

industry, there may be situations in which you have to beable to adopt scientificthinking and have the readiness to collaborate with universities or research

institutes. With researcher training, it will be easier to understand the cultureand rules of academic research than with only a first degree.

A doctors degree will provide excellent qualifications, not only for a research

career, but also for other demanding expert positions. For such positions,doctoral studies are often an advantage. A doctoral degree will increase thevalue of any CV and add extra weight when interviewed for a position.

However, when selected for a position, the degree alone cannot guaranteesuccess; you must prove your competence through action. Industry is moreinterested in robust know-how than formal degrees. Yet the ever-increasing

amount of international activities places more emphasis on academic degreesas well. In many countries, it is customary to involve experts with a doctoraldegree in such areas as commercial negotiations, to add further credence totechnical arguments.

1.2 Qualifications

At the School of Science and Technology particular attention is paid to thequality of dissertations. Thus, it is by no means automatic that every doctoralstudent completes the doctorate. Your potential is comprised of academic

talent, patience, ability to cope with a heavy workload, and perseverance. Tosucceed in doctoral studies you need to have all of these qualities. It is also

important that you could be part of an inspiring research group with acompetent leader.

You should begin by critically assessing your potential to successfully completedoctoral studies. Your supervising professor is the person with whom to discussthese issues. To avoid wasting time and effort and causing yourself frustration,you must be realistic about your potential. On the other hand, once the decision

to embark on doctoral studies has been made, there is no reason toprocrastinate or be hesitant you should focus on simply completing theproject.

Doctoral studies often coincide with a busy and possibly difficult time in yourlife. You should have enough income for accommodation and a reasonable

standard of living, you should make your mark career-wise, and yet at the sametime your children might be small and family-life would need time and effort,too. Be honest about the whys and wherefores, and make sure your motivationis well-grounded and genuine. If your motivation is right, many practical

obstacles are much more easily negotiated.

The search for funding for doctoral studies is a real practical problem. Duringthe most intensive periods, you must be able to concentrate on your researchwork more or less full time. If you also have a job, or work on a research project


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or teach at a research institute or university, you will only have limited time and

energy left for pursuing doctoral studies on the side. When holding an Academyof Finland tenure, or funded by a grant, or in a national doctoral programme,

there is enough time allocated to research, but your income may be moderatecompared to the general level in your professional field. See Chapter 4 for moredetails on scholarships and grants for doctoral students.

It is recommended that those employed by industry choose their topics so that

the employer is able to see its value and is prepared to be flexible to supportthe rapid completion of the studies. However, in industrial research, the

question of confidentiality may present a problem. This is in direct conflict withthe premise of openness in scientific research. Dissertations are public by law.Hence you cannot discuss matters in a dissertation which should be keptconfidential under the rules of industrial secrecy. You should settle issues

related to the confidentiality of research findings in research institutes at anearly stage of research preparation, when other issues are also being agreedupon.

1.3 Links to research programmes and the study environment

It will be of considerable advantage to you if your dissertation topic can belinked to a larger research project. Usually a larger project has already defined

a research problem, from which more detailed, specific targets for an individualdissertation can be derived, speeding your progress.

Finnish and EU-wide research programmes involve a lot of other types of

research and analyses than merely scientific research. Challenging

programmes will, however, include segments that provide excellent topics fordoctoral dissertations. For example, the technology programmes of Tekes (theFinnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) encourage

researchers to write doctoral theses, since this would help create a moreprofound and permanent knowledge base in Finland.

National technology programmes offer a good research forum, particularly fordoctoral students working in industry; the interests of the student and theemployer are likely to meet in a high-quality research environment.

Training for researchers is most efficient if you can work in a group withmembers who have a variety of experience. Graduate schools are one such

group. Swapping experiences and discussing problem situations can, in such acontext, take place naturally on a daily basis. Try to avoid working alone. Youshould maintain close and regular contact, particularly with your supervisor andinstructor, to ensure that you agree on the main research foci and hypotheses

to be used throughout the research process. Those of you who conduct yourdoctoral studies within a commercial workplace may have only limited contact

with the research world. In such a case, you would benefit by spending short,exclusive periods (perhaps a couple of months) doing research in a universityenvironment. If you work in a commercial enterprise, you should, at the veryleast, regularly attend research seminars at your university.

It is also recommended that doctoral students spend time abroad. This will

promote the international interaction of your research and give you a widerperspective into your work.


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1.4 Schedule

You should approach doctoral studies as a series of projects that have a plan,

schedule and budget. Life-long learning as such is a process which has to bedivided into smaller projects with intermediate goals, a definite time plan, and

allocated resources. Doctoral studies and education leading to a licentiates ordoctors degree would therefore be one project in the larger process. For a full-

time student, the normative duration of the licentiate is two years and thedoctorate four years. Study projects that span a decade do not really meet the

criteria for a degree project. On the contrary, constant awareness ofuncompleted work will sap energy that you could put to better use in otherareas. If completing the doctorate within four years seems too challenging, itmight be a good idea to consider completing the licentiate first. After that, you

should plan a new two-to-three year project for completing the doctorate.However, when choosing the topic and method for the licentiate, bear in mindthe next step and choose something you can continue in your doctoral studies.

If full-time study seems impossible even at the planning stage, you canconsciously time your studies according to the time realistically available orschedule the commencement of the project later. The main thing is to avoid

slowly progressing studies that may take up energy needed for other activities.

1.5 Licentiate or doctorate?

According to Government Decree 794/2004, the dissertation is to produce newscientific knowledge within the field of research. A doctoral dissertation is,therefore, clearly a scientific publication. The data presented in it must be

based on proper scientific research, and the documentation must be donefollowing good scientific practice. The dissertation may be either an articledissertation or a monograph.

In terms of time and as an intellectual effort, a doctoral dissertation is more

demanding than a licentiate. Although you may be provided with a topic alreadydetermined by your research group, the production of new scientific information

requires deep familiarity with the topic. It is not realistic to expect, even in thebest of circumstances, that the dissertation could be ready for preliminaryexamination in less than two years from the beginning of the project. However,two years is enough for a hard-working student to complete a licentiate degree.

Before embarking on the actual writing of the dissertation, you should make aninformed decision, based on discussions with your supervisor, on whether thetopic, the available time, and your other capacities would better warrant alicentiate or a doctorate.


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2. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

2.1 Strategics and organisation of research activities

In its strategy approved in December 2006, the School of Science and

Technology defines its profile focusing on providing top-level technologyresearch and high quality education for masters and doctors degrees in allmain fields of engineering and architecture. The strategy describes the basictask and vision of the School of Science and Technology as follows:

The mission of the School of Science and TechnologyThe basic task of the School of Science and Technology is

to conduct scientific research to provide top-level teaching linked with research and to promote education in science and the arts.

The School of Science and Technology fosters freedom in science, the arts andteaching. It operates in fields in which research has both scientific and

technological significance, and its activities support Finlands success in theinternational economy.

The vision of the School of Science and TechnologyThe School of Science and Technology is an internationally respected and

attractive university known for its excellent achievements in research andteaching, its ability to renew itself, and its social impact. It is a trendsetter in itsfield in cooperation with universities of excellence and innovative corporate

partners. Its students, researchers and teachers are chosen from among the

best in all countries.

The School of Science and Technology chooses its research fields according tothe scientific challenges they offer and based on their technical impact. Finnishindustry operates in a global market and it looks for the necessary expertisefrom what are considered to be leading universities and research institutes all

over the world. As far as selecting fields and determining scientific standardsare concerned, our viewpoint is international. In many technical fields, the

School of Science and Technology is the only university-level research andteaching unit in Finland. The strategy of the School of Science and Technologyhas this to say about research activities:

During its strategy period 20072015, the university will intensify its research particularly in the theme areas of strategic national clusters of excellencedefined by the Science and Technology Policy Council, i.e. energy and the

environment, metal products and mechanical engineering, the forest cluster, theinformation and communications industry and services, and health and well-being. The aim is to utilise the existing strengths of the School of Science andTechnology and the Otaniemi science community in these research sectors

efficiently and to achieve an internationally high level of research during thestrategy period.

Along with nationally important research sectors, the School of Science and

Technology will also support new research. Selection of research projects willtake into account scientific standards, technological relevance, challenging

targets, partnerships with comparative international research and business andindustry, and the needs of Finnish business and industry in global competition.


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You can read more about the strategy in the following pages:http://www.tkk.fi/en/about_tkk/strategies/index.html

http://www.aalto.fi/en/about/strategy

2.2 Research ethics

The School of Science and Technology has undertaken to observe ethicalguidelines and principles in its research activities. Doctoral students must take

these into account in their own research work. They should take note of andassimilate sound, scientific practice generally and in their chosen field.

Consequently, instructors and doctoral students will do well to discuss matters,especially at the start of their guidance relationship, and identify any ethical

issues and practices related to the research subject.

Ethical questions relating to scientific research in Finland are addressed by theNational Advisory Board on Research Ethics established by the Ministry ofEducation and Culture in 1991. The boards task is to promote discussion,distribute information, initiate moves and make statements in relation toresearch ethics.

The ethical guidelines Good scientific practice and procedures for handling mis-

conduct and fraud in science (http://www.tenk.fi/ENG/Function/htkeng.pdf),published in 2002 by the advisory board define sound scientific practice and theinfringement of it from a multidisciplinary standpoint as far as possible. The aimof the guidelines is to promote sound scientific practice, and prevent scientific

fraud in all organisations practising research. Different scientific fields have

more detailed ethical norms proper to each, for example aboutthe relationshipbetween the researcher and the research object. More information may beobtained from the Finnish National Advisory Board on Biotechnology (BTNK),

scientific associations, and several professional organisations. The NationalAdvisory Board on Research Ethics home page

http://www.tenk.fi/ENG/function.htm provides links and contact information forsuch organisations and their guidelines, including other publications andguidelines relating to research ethics.

2.3 Organisation of research activities

The university consists of the following faculties that are responsible forresearch activities and tuition:

1) Faculty of Electronics, Communications and Automation2) Faculty of Information and Natural Sciences3) Faculty of Engineering and Architecture4) Faculty of Chemistry and Materials Sciences

The faculties are divided into 25 departments that form operational units forfinancial administration. The School of Science and Technology has about 250professors who serve as leaders for the research activities within their ownfields of research in the departments. As a rule, the professors obtain research

projects for their research fields, assign the researchers, guide research, andare responsible for upholding research traditions. There are more than 120


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doctoral research fields at the School of Science and Technology, covering

almost every field of technology.

In the faculties there are also several separate units that pursue research: theBIT Research Centre (Business Innovation Technology), the Metshovi RadioObservatory and the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies (YTK, incollaboration with other Finnish universities). There are also separate unitsoutside of the faculties: the Low Temperature Laboratory and Helsinki Institute

for Information Technology HIIT (in collaboration with the University ofHelsinki). The School of Science and Technology takes part with other Finnish

universities in research at Helsinki Institute of Physics HIP. The universityalso collaborates with the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) in theresearch performed in the Millimetre Wave Laboratory of Finland - MilliLab.Doctoral students can carry out research not only at the faculties and its various

institutes but also at other research centres such as VTT, or while employed inindustry.

There are nine research institutes in the School of Science and Technologybringing together the expertise of interconnected research fields. They pursueand coordinate research activities in their fields, especially for any large-scale

joint projects beyond the limits of their own departments and faculties. Institutescoordinate and arrange tuition, using the intellectual and material resources oftheir laboratories. A key part of a research institutes activity involves keepingup with developments in its field, maintaining contacts with industry, universitiesand research institutions, and promoting international cooperation in their area

of specialisation. Many doctoral students work on projects managed by theseresearch institutes.

The School of Science and Technology, in order to strengthen its high-level

research activities while investing in the development of interdisciplinaryresearch fields, continually seeks and encourages new, top-level units and

groups. Out of the 41 Centres of Excellence in research selected and financedby the Academy of Finland, seven are based at the School of Science andTechnology. The University is also a partner in two other Centres of Excellence.Five of the total of 40 Academy Professors appointed by the Academy of

Finland work at the School of Science and Technology. In order to encourageyoung researchers, the University has twice selected Outstanding Junior

Research Groups headed by holders of doctoral degrees for two-year periods.It is expected that they will develop into world-class research groups within afew years. The School of Science and Technology also bestows a DoctoralDissertation of the Year award for a doctoral dissertation that stands out

among those defended each year.

2.4 The link between research and tuition

The high-level scientific research work and artistic activities of the School ofScience and Technology are the basis of higher education. Research andeducation are linked by beneficial interaction so that phenomena becomecomprehensible. The School of Science and Technology strives to utilise the

most recent research results as fast as possible in doctoral education inparticular, but also in the advanced courses within masters degree studies in

engineering and architecture. The university supports the organisation ofresearcher training courses, especially by offering grants that facilitate invitinglecturers from abroad.


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The strength of the School of Science and Technology is in the wide scope of

its tuition and the multidisciplinary nature of its technical fields. Researchactivities concentrate on solid basic research in natural and technical sciences,

and on research creating new technological knowledge and skills. The Schoolof Science and Technology promotes the development of technology andarchitecture, the application of scientific knowledge, and technology transfer. Itsactivities sustain the competitive edge of Finnish industry internationally,generate new opportunities in key industrial cluster areas in cooperation with

other universities, research institutions, and business interests, and promoteentrepreneurship.

The impact of the scientific research and higher education is evident inOtaniemis technology community, Finnish society and the internationalscientific community. The Otaniemi science campus, built around the School of

Science and Technology, is the cornerstone of Finlands competitiveness on anational level. The Universitys collaboration with various players in the Helsinkimetropolitan area also helps utilise international technology expertise.

2.7 Intellectual property rights and utilising research results

One of the aims of the School of Science and Technology is to carry out high-level scientific research and have results published in international publications

and presented at global conventions. They are also utilised for university tuitionat bachelor-, master- and doctoral levels. These activities also aim at utilisinginventions in the broadest possible way in society. All theses at the School ofScience and Technology are public.

Doctoral dissertations are published and defended in a public examination ofthe doctoral dissertation. When starting your research, you should alwayscheck the conditions and time limits set by the sponsor of the research for the

publication of its results.

When seeking outside financing, the School of Science and Technologyundertakes to respect agreements by which the research results, and the rightto their use, are transferred to a party to the agreement. In publicly-fundedprojects, for instance in those funded by Tekes (The Finnish Funding Agencyfor Technology and Innovation), researchers must comply with the sponsor-defined terms regarding the results ownership and access rights. Theresearchers involved in the project sign a written agreement by which they

assign the rights in the results to the School of Science and Technology to theextent determined by the sponsor terms and conditions and by the agreementsentered into with other external cooperation partners.

Even in contract research, the aim is to give researchers the possibility topublish results. However, the need to protect the confidentiality of the business

secrets of parties to the agreement is always taken into account. The School ofScience and Technology tries to ensure that research funded by externalfunding is done in the research focus areas of the university. Projectscompletely unrelated to the focus areas are undertaken only for special

reasons.

The Otaniemi International Innovation Centre at the Aalto University supportsresearchers and units in practical matters, such as research agreements andutilising research results. The Centre handles the administration and marketing


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of intellectual property and supports new businesses. It also reviews

documentation relating to the research documents and obtains approval forthem on the Universitys behalf. Details about the Centre and about copyright

and inventors rights and turning innovations to commercial advantage can befound online at the Centres home page http://oiic.tkk.fi .


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3. DOCTORAL STUDIES

3.1 Degrees and the objective of doctoral education

The doctoral education at the Aalto University School of Science and

Technology is built on a masters degree and doctoral studies are always partof doctoral education. The doctoral degrees taken at the School of Science andTechnology are generally Doctor of Science (Technology) and Licentiate ofScience (Technology), which is a pre-doctoral postgraduate degree. Thedoctors degree can be pursued directly after a masters degree without firstearning a licentiate degree. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy can be pursuedin special cases. The School of Science and Technology does not offer a

Licentiate of Philosophy degree.

The normative duration of study for a Licentiate of Science (Technology)

degree is two years. The normative duration of study for a Doctor of Science(Technology) degree, or a Doctor of Philosophy degree, is four years. Studentswho cannot pursue full-time studies, or need considerably longer than

normative duration of study, should divide their studies into shorter projectentities.

The purpose of doctoral studies is for the student to acquire more profoundscientific knowledge and skills in scientific research and their practical

application than is provided by masters degree studies. The key element indoctoral studies is acquiring the skills required in research and the applicationof research results. High-level research is a key requirement for doctoralstudies and researcher training.

The objective of postgraduate education (Degree Regulations of the Aalto

University School of Science and Technology, Section 34) is that the student:

1) becomes well-versed in his/her field of research and its social significanceand gains knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research

methods independently and critically within his/her field of research and toproduce new scientific knowledge;

2) becomes conversant with the development, basic problems and researchmethods of his/her own field; as well as

3) gains such knowledge of the general theory of science and of otherdisciplines related to his/her own field of research as enables him/her tofollow developments in them.

In the fields of architecture and landscape architecture, the aim of postgraduateeducation is, in addition to the aims listed above, that the student is conversantin depth in the position of artistic expression in approaching his/her research

topic.


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3.2 Management of doctoral education at Helsinki Universityof Technology

The management of doctoral education at the School of Science and

Technology is the responsibility of the Vice Dean in charge of research anddoctoral education, who is also responsible for the general outlines of doctoral

education at the School of Science and Technology. The Vice Dean createsand issues guidelines on doctoral education and assesses the current state of

it. S/he is supported by the Committee for Research and Doctoral Education, ofwhich s/he is the Chair.

(http://www.tkk.fi/fi/yleista/organisaatio/toimikunnat/jatkokoulutustoimikunta/ inFinnish)

As of 1 August 2009, all faculties will implement their doctoral education in theform of doctoral programmes, which will include all doctoral students of theSchool of Science and Technology. There are five of these programmes:

Doctoral programme in Electronics, Communications and Automation, Doctoral programme in Information and Natural Sciences Doctoral programme in Industrial Engineering and Management Doctoral programme in Engineering and Architecture

Doctoral programme in Chemistry and Materials Science

The Dean of the faculty administering the programme appoints a director who is

in charge of the programme and of the enhancement of doctoral education. Inaddition, each programme has a steering group chaired by the director of the

programme. The secretarial duties of the steering group will be theresponsibility of the coordinator, who prepares and coordinates the practical

issues of the programme together with the director.

3.3 Eligibility for doctoral studies and prerequisite knowledge

To be eligible for doctoral studies at the School of Science and Technology,students must

1. hold a masters degree in technology, architecture or landscape architecture

granted by a Finnish university2. hold a masters degree granted by a Finnish university providing them with

the knowledge base required for the research field applied for3. hold a degree granted by a university abroad corresponding to the Finnish

Master of Science in technology, architecture or landscape architecture andproviding them with the knowledge base required for the postgraduate

research field applied for.

The knowledge base and skills required for doctoral studies shall bedemonstrated by a masters degree. As a rule, to be eligible for doctoral studiesat the School of Science and Technology, the student should hold a university-granted masters degree which corresponds to the Master of Science intechnology, architecture or landscape architecture granted by the School of

Science and Technology. The degree should provide the student with the

knowledge base required for the postgraduate research field applied for.

Students holding a masters degree earned abroad are eligible for doctoral

studies at the School of Science and Technology provided their masters


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degree qualifies them for equivalent doctoral studies in the country where the

degree was earned. In addition, their combination of degrees (B.Sc + M.Sc)must correspond to a Finnish masters degree in a technical discipline. Such

degree combinations earned in Europe are recognised at the School of Scienceand Technology in accordance with the principles of the Bologna Process (3+2years). Applicants with a previous degree not in line with the principles of theBologna Process are, as a rule, required to hold a Master of Science degree.

In individual instances, the admissions committee may be heard regarding theeligibility of an applicant.

The new Universities Act which came into effect at the beginning of 2010 willextend eligibility for scientific doctoral education to those with an applicablepolytechnic master's degree. The potential of such applicants for successful

doctoral studies at the School of Science and Technology is assessed by thefaculty case by case. Granting the right to study requires the faculty to determinethe applicants need for supplementary studies.

If the faculty deems the applicant with a polytechnic master's degree in anapplicable technical field as having potential for completing the doctoral degree, the

applicant will be assigned a sufficient amount of supplementary studies to allowhim or her to start the doctoral studies. The extent of supplementary studies maynot, however, exceed 60 cr. If the extent of necessary supplementary studiesexceeds this maximum, the applicant will be advised to first pursue the master'sdegree at the School of Science and Technology before applying for a right to

pursue a doctoral one.

International applicants with a previous technical degree corresponding to aFinnish polytechnic degree are subject to the same rules as those with a Finnish

polytechnic degree.

To be approved for doctoral studies, an applicant must have adequateknowledge in his or her confirmed research field, gained through, for example,courses toward the major or courses in the advanced module within theMasters studies, or the equivalent. When necessary, the faculty will set

prerequisites for admission into the doctoral programme. Students may gain theprerequisite knowledge, for instance, by earning the credits for them by taking

exams related to master-level courses at the School of Science andTechnology.

Successful candidates for doctoral studies must have earned the masters degree

with an average grade of 3.0/5 and completed the masters thesis with the grade of3/5. Those with a masters degree earned in accordance with the degreeregulations of 1995 or at an earlier time when the bachelor's and master's degree

were not pursued separately, are required to have completed the courses towardstheir major, which form the basis of eligibility for doctoral studies, with an averagegrade of at least 3.0/5.

The same requirements apply to degrees earned elsewhere in Finland or abroad.Students who fail to meet these minimum grade criteria but are otherwise suitable

for doctoral studies may improve their grades by taking courses, or the Facultymay set prerequisites for doctoral studies.

In addition to courses taken at the School of Science and Technology, thefaculty may, on the proposal of the professor in charge of the postgraduate


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research area and on the professor of the studies in the supplementary field,

recognise corresponding courses taken at other universities.

It is also possible to complete doctoral studies in a field/faculty other than theone in which the masters degree was obtained. Persons wishing to pursuedoctoral studies in another field on account of job experience gained in thatfield, or interest in it, can discuss the necessary prerequisites for entry as adoctoral student with a professor in that field of research.

3.4 Applying for the right to pursue doctoral studies

Students apply for one of the doctoral programmes of the School of Scienceand Technology (please see also 3.2). The applicants file an application with

the faculty in charge of the postgraduate research field, where the professor incharge must work. The application deadlines for the doctoral programmes will

be published on the faculty web pages.

The doctoral programmes in Chemistry and Materials Sciences andEngineering and Architecture have two annual application cycles: at the ends ofApril and October. Applicants of the spring and autumn cycles will be informed

of the admission decisions by the end of June and December respectively.

The doctoral programme in Industrial Management and Engineering only hasone annual application cycle with the deadline at the end of April, while thedoctoral programmes in Electronics, Communications and Automation and thatof Information and Natural Sciences accept applications throughout the year.

The meeting schedule of the doctoral programme steering groups depends on

that of the Faculty Councils: as a rule, they meet two weeks prior to eachFaculty Council meeting. The applications for the programmes are due 10 daysprior to the relevant steering group meeting.

Before submitting the application, each applicant must contact the professor in

charge of their postgraduate research field.

An applicant who has earned a masters degree at the School of Science andTechnology must submit

a complete application form (available at:

http://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/forms_and_guides/doctoral );

a curriculum vitae;

a preliminary study plan; a preliminary research proposal and schedule for its completion. The

proposal must include the signatures of the applicant and the

professor in charge of the postgraduate research field applied for; proof of other scientific activity (publications, conference papers etc.);

a funding plan and

any other supporting documents, such as the statement of theprofessor in charge of the postgraduate research field confirming theapplicant's aptitude for doctoral studies.


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Applicants with a masters degree earned at another institution are required to

provide, in addition to the above mentioned,

a certified copy of the diploma and transcript of record, and theirtranslations, if the originals are not in Finnish, Swedish or English;

An English abstract of the master's thesis proof of proficiency in Finnish, Swedish or English if the applicant is

not a native speaker of or educated in any of them (read more about

the language requirements atwww.tkk.fi/en/prospective_students/welcome_to_tkk/language_require

ments) and

special reasons for applying for the right to pursue a Doctor ofPhilosophy degree, where applicable.

Those applying for the right to study toward a doctoral degree should present apersonal study plan, which helps them to achieve their academic goals andallows the doctoral degree to be earned in four years. The plan should include a

list of the courses to be taken and a research proposal, and it must be signedby both the applicant and the professor in charge of the postgraduate researchfield. The research proposal should pay particular attention to realistic

scheduling and to the suitability of the topic for the research field. In addition,the plan should include an account of the possible funding sources.

Those applying for the right to study part time should prepare a study plan forno more than 8 years. They are also recommended to discuss with the

professor in charge whether the doctoral research is linked with their currentwork and whether the employer is able to support them in undertaking intensive

doctoral studies, for instance, alongside their primary duties.

Students wishing to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy must give special reasonsfor their request. These may include, for instance, the multidisciplinarity of the

research topic or the students principal research interest being non-technical.

3.5. Assessment of the applicants and granting the right tostudy

The professor in charge of the postgraduate research field selected by thestudent goes through the study plan with the applicant. At the same time, the

professor also aims to establish whether the student has sufficient and up-to-

date basic knowledge of the research field. If needed, the professor may setprerequisites for admission into the doctoral programme. The professor alsogoes through the funding plan for the doctoral studies in the application phaseand assesses the student's aptitude for doctoral studies, the suitability of thethesis topic for the research field, comments on the adequacy of the

supervising resources and prepares a statement regarding the student for thesteering group of the doctoral programme.

When signing the research proposal of the student, the professor commitshim/herself to supervising the dissertation.

The criteria for assessing the potential doctoral students are:

prior academic success potential for a researcher career: research-related work experience,

conference presentations, newspaper articles etc.


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suitability of the research topic: relevance of the topic for the research

focus area of the department research proposal: the original contribution of the research to the

theory and practice of the field; the feasibility of the research proposal(its quality, workability, organisation)

time management and resources: the feasibility of the study plan andthe time available for the doctoral studies in the next four years

other grounds presented by the applicant.

The decision regarding the right to study for a doctoral degree rests with the

faculty in the case of applicants who have obtained a masters degree intechnology, architecture or landscape architecture at the School of Science andTechnology or at another Finnish university. In the case of applicants withmasters degrees other than in technology, architecture or landscape

architecture earned either in Finnish universities or abroad, the decision restswith the Executive Dean on the proposal of the faculty. Each applicant isinformed of the admission decision in writing.

Those granted the right to study towards a doctoral degree are simultaneouslygranted the right to study towards both the Licentiate of Science in Technology

and the Doctor of Science in Technology degrees. One of these is marked asthe primary right. Since the School of Science and Technology does not grantLicentiates of Philosophy, those pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy may only begranted the right to study towards the Doctor of Philosophy.

When granting the right to pursue doctoral studies, the faculty confirms theprofessor in charge of the research field, and appoints another professor

responsible for the study module in the supplementary field. The faculty mayset prerequisites for admission into the doctoral programme. Within six months

of the right to study toward a doctoral degree being granted, the facultyconfirms the degree requirements applicable to the student, or the studies

counted toward the modules of the doctoral degree.

In addition, the faculty approves the topic of the doctoral dissertation, assigns asupervisor and one or more instructors for it, and decides on the language of

the thesis.

In the first year of doctoral studies, the student is automatically enrolled aspresent at the University. The study attainments register shall also contain anote on whether the student studies on a full- or part-time basis. After the firstyear, the doctoral student will be sent information regarding the enrolment by e-

mail each spring. The credits earned can only be entered into the register if thestudent has enrolled as present.

For more details about the application process, please consult personshandling doctoral affairs in the individual faculties:

http://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/doctoral/guidance/contact

3.5.1 Full-time and part-time doctoral studies

Students are entered into the register either as full-time or part-time doctoral

students. Registering as a part-time doctoral student will in no way affect thestudents right to study. Students may change their status during the enrolment


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period, if the intensity of the studies has changed and the study plan has been

adjusted accordingly.

The purpose of defining students as either full-time or part-time students is tohelp to clarify the statistics on doctoral students and to get a more realisticpicture of the length of doctoral studies.

The classification of students into full-time and part-time students is carried out

along the following principles:

Full-time doctoral students' personal study plans are drawn up with the viewto allowing the doctorate to be earned within four years of the right to studytowards a doctoral degree being granted. The studies may comprise thelicentiate degree, the normative duration of study of which is two years and

which will be included in the normative duration of study of the doctoral degree,four years. Typically full-time students receive funding from a national doctoralprogramme; the group also includes the majority of those receiving research

project funding. If the student works for a research institute or an enterprise andis carrying out full-time research for a doctoral dissertation and his or her studyplan has been drawn up for four years, he or she will be classified as a full-time

doctoral student.

Part-time doctoral students: If the above criteria are not met, the student willbe classified as a part-time doctoral student. The study plan of a part-timedoctoral student is drawn up to serve doctoral studies that will last longer than

four years but no more than 8 years. A part-time doctoral student typically has amain occupation outside the School of Science and Technology which does not

include scientific research for the doctoral dissertation.

3.5.2 Continuing your studies after obtaining a Licentiate of Science(Tech.) degree

Students completing a Licentiate of Science (Technology) at the School of

Science and Technology may continue studies in the same faculty to obtain aDoctor of Science (Technology) degree (research for doctoral dissertation). Theintention to continue studies must be reported to the professor and the facultysoffice. At this point, the student should check whether the topic of the doctoral

thesis was approved in conjunction with the licentiate degree, or whether itmust be re-approved. The topic of the dissertation must be approved by the

faculty if it differs from that of the licentiate degree. If the postgraduate researchfield changes, or if the licentiate degree was obtained from another faculty, then

it must be processed through the faculty.

3.5.3 Registering at the School of Science and Technology

Students approved for doctoral studies are automatically registered as presentduring their first study year. However, the students with an international degreeshall come in person to International Student Services to register there for thefirst time. After the first registration, doctoral students are sent an emailregarding registration each spring. Students must report their attendance or

absence for each academic year as determined by the university (Act794/2004, Article 18c). For each academic year doctoral students must report


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whether they will be present full-time, or part-time, or absent (see Section

3.5.1.). Only students reporting as present will be entitled to pursue studies.

Students not registering during the registration period lose the right to study.After omissions of this kind, students must pay a readmission fee to StudentServices.

Doctoral students enrolling as present may, if they wish, join the Aalto

University Student Union (AYY) by paying the membership fee for doctoralstudents. Payments must be received during the registration period and the

payment receipt must be stamped at the Academic Affairs. Doctoral studentsare offered the option of joining the Student Union only immediately after beinggranted the right to pursue doctoral studies. They cannot join the student unionat any later time after the closure of the registration period. Doctoral students

do not receive a student card.

For more information about the Aalto University Student Union click on:

http://www.ayy.fi

For more information about registering for the academic year click on:

http://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/academic_year_and_enrolment

3.6 Structure of doctoral degrees

A doctoral degree consists of theoretical studies and research work. Theemphasis is on research work. The structure of doctoral degrees is illustrated in

Diag. 1. The extent of studies is measured in ECTS credits, so that studies

completed in one academic year, an average of 1600 hours work, is theequivalent of 60 ECTS credits. The normative duration of the Licentiate ofScience (Technology) degree is 2 years.

The normative duration of the Doctor of Science (Technology) degree is 4

years. If theoretical studies are completed in conjunction with the licentiatedegree, the doctoral dissertation is the only further requirement.


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Diagram 1. Structure of doctoral degrees

3.6.1 Theoretical studies

Theoretical studies belonging to doctoral studies amount to 60 ECTS credits

and are completed in the form of modules. The studies consist of threemodules: research field (Module T, 3040 ECTS credits), studies in a

supplementary field (Module S, 1020 ECTS credits), and scientific practicesand principles (Module Y, 515 ECTS credits).

The requirements for doctoral modules include seminars, literature on which

one is later examined, and courses. The courses approved for doctoral studiesare generally marked in the Study Programme with the letter L or P, indicatingcourses eligible for doctoral studies. Language studies are not approved for adoctoral degree. In some instances, scientific writing courses can be approvedas part of theoretical studies for a doctoral degree.

The literature on which one is later examined is chosen as far as possible in

accordance with the personal study objectives of each student, taking intoaccount an adequately broad coverage of the entire scientific field. Theliterature can be examined in several sections to be agreed with the supervisorindividually. The professor determines the number of credits based on the

scope and difficulty of the literature. The number of pages of literature on whichone is to be examined and the equivalent number of credits should be entered

on the form for degree requirements.

Research field:T, 3040 cr

Studies in

supplementary field:S, 1020 cr

Dissertation

Licentiate thesis

Scientific practices and principles: Y, 515 cr


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The doctoral modules may also include courses completed before the masters

degree was completed if they were not counted toward the masters degree.Doctoral courses to be completed in other universities can also be included in

the modules.

3.6.1.1 Research field

The research field module amounts to 3040 ECTS credits, and consists oftheoretical studies related to the field. Students select their research fieldfromthe list of postgraduate research fields (Annex 1). The same professor is neverresponsible for both the research field module and the supplementary studiesmodule.

3.6.1.2 Studies in a supplementary field

Module S, studies in supplementary field, amount to 1020 ECTS credits.

Studies in the module support the research field and the writing of the thesis.This module comprises studies in another postgraduate research field orstudies drawn from several research fields that form one entity. Module Sstudies can be taken at other universities but also in such cases the professor

responsible must be from the School of Science and Technology.

If a students postgraduate field is very wide in scope (involves severalprofessorships) the studies in the supplementary field (Module S) can also be

drawn from the research field confirmed for the student. However, the sameprofessor is never responsible for both the research field module and the

supplementary studies module.

3.6.1.3 Scientific practices and principles

The degree also includes Module Y, scientific practices and principles (5-15ECTS credits). The objective of these studies is to give the students knowledgeof the basic scientific concepts and introduce them to the key characteristics of

research and scientific knowledge and to the most important research methodsof their field. In addition, students learn to apply the principles of good scientificpractice to their research, know the central scientific publication series of their

field and are able to prepare an appropriately structured thesis.

This module may include studies in research methodology, research ethics, and

the history and philosophy of science as well as academic writing. Part of themodule can consist of learning about university practices, such as tuition andresearch work guidance. It can contain preparatory tasks of a scientific kindrelated to the research project, as well as presentations at scientific

conventions in the field. However, students cannot count the research workitself toward the requisite theoretical courses. The module may also includepedagogic studies. However, the YOOP study entity on university teachingorganised by the Aalto University Teaching and Learning Development Unit cannot as a whole be counted toward the doctoral degree. Studies counted toward

Module Y vary from faculty to faculty according to the needs of various researchfields.


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The following courses are examples of those applicable to the Practice and

principles of science module (some courses may have prerequisites):Kon-41.5000 Tieteentekijn peruskurssi (5 cr) L

Kon-41.5167 Patentit (3 cr) LMaa-29.3360 Patentti-, tekijnoikeus- ja tavaramerkkioikeus (2-4 cr) LMat-1.3011 Tieteen historia I (2 cr) LMat-1.3012 Tieteen historia II (3 cr) LMat-1.3016 Tieteen historia I&II (5 cr) L

Mat-1.3013 Tieteen filosofia I (2 cr) LMat-1.3014 Tieteen filosofia II (3 cr) L

Mat-1.3015 Tieteen filosofia I&II (5 cr) LS-81.1000 Electrical Engineering Forum (1-2 cr) L VS-96.1020 Shktekniikan historia (3 cr)T-0.7050 Johdatus tietotekniikan jatko-opintoihin (2 cr) L

T-76.5753 Oikeus tietoyhteiskunnassa (4-6 cr) LTU-0.3100 Johdatus tieteenfilosofiaan (3 cr) LTU-53.1310 Advanced course on knowledge and competence

management (4 cr) LYhd-102.3311 Miten tutkimme tulevaisuutta? (6 cr) L

3.6.2 Thesis

Research work is the key part of the doctoral degree. A licentiate thesis isnecessary for a licentiate degree. For the doctoral degree students are requiredto write and publish a doctoral dissertation and to defend it in public. If thetheoretical studies have been completed in conjunction with the licentiatedegree, all that is required for a doctors degree is a dissertation. The faculty

approves the topic of the thesis, appoints a supervisor and one or moreinstructors, decides the language of the thesis, and decides about theevaluation and approval of it. You can find further details about the theses inSection 3.9.

3.7 Personal study plan for doctoral studies

Students granted the right to study towards a doctoral degree are required toprepare a personal study plan listing the theoretical courses to be taken and aplan on the implementation of the research. A study plan serves to ensure thatthe objectives of doctoral education will be reached, and that the studies will

progress within the period planned. A further objective of the plan is to ensurethat the studies and the research work itself form a logical entity.

The starting point of the study plan is the normative duration of four years andthe learning outcomes set for the doctoral degree. The plan must contain the

modules and courses intended for the degree (see 3.6.1), a research proposal,any conferences or seminars related to the research and details on the thesis

itself. The plan should take into account the degree requirements and includethe possible visits abroad (see 3.7.1).

Students should update the plan regularly and discuss the thesis progress once

a year with the supervising professor. This requirement applies to those whohave been granted a right to study on or after 1 August 2009. Other studentsare offered similar guidance provided they present their research proposal tothe supervising professor. If the student does not prepare a study plan or


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contact the supervising professor, the professor is not obligated to follow up on

the progress of the students studies.

3.7.1 Internationalisation as a part of the study plan for doctoral

students

Because international scientific interaction is an integral part of doctoral studiesand research, it is recommended that students complete a portion, preferably atleast six months of studies/research work at a university abroad. Doctoral

students in EU projects, for example, can network internationally and becomepart of first-rate teams. Doctoral students can also apply for EU Researcher

training positions in other EU universities. The positions available forresearchers are listed by country on the European researchers mobility portal

http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess. The Otaniemi International Innovation Centre(OIIC) operates a support service for research funding and researcher

agreements related to EU projects and European research projects in general.

Study abroad is possible under student exchange programmes, or agreementsmade with universities abroad based on the international connections ofprofessors within their own field of science or on the students own initiative.

Doctoral exchanges are usually organised with the help of supervisor contacts.It is best to contact the supervisor and the faculty to get advice on the foreign

universities worth attending. You can find general information about planningexchanges, exchange destinations, financing opportunities, and travelarrangements online at:http://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/doctoral/mobility/ (in Finnish)

http://www.tkk.fi/fi/opinnot/jatko-opinnot/rahoitus/kv (in Finnish)

3.7.2 Confirmation of degree requirements

Having received the application by the student, the faculty confirms therequirements for the doctoral degree on the proposals of the professor in

charge of the research field and of the professor in charge of the studies in thesupplementary field. The confirmation is to be done within 6 months of the rightto study being granted. A separate form for this purpose is downloadable fromthe faculty web pages at:http://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/forms_and_guides/doctoral

The degree requirements specify the doctoral courses counted toward therequisite theoretical studies and other components of the degree.

If the confirmed degree requirements undergo significant changes before thedegree is completed, the faculty must reconfirm the degree requirements of the

student before granting him or her a doctoral degree.

3.8 Doctoral studies guidance

The supervisor and instructor/s confirmed by the faculty council are responsible

for giving guidance regarding doctoral studies and the related research work.


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The supervisor and the instructor help the student to gain not only the scientific

knowledge of the research field but also the necessary professional skills. Theaim is to provide the new doctors with good oral and written presentations skills,

language proficiency, communication skills, managerial, organisation andnegotiation skills as well as awareness of the principles of good scientificpractice and intellectual property rights. In addition, students are recommendedto enhance their skills in an area of interest, such as business andentrepreneurship or pedagogic expertise. Career planning helps the students to

focus on enhancing those skills that are most relevant for them.

The School of Science and Technology Career Services advise and educatestudents on areas relevant in professional life. A career psychologist will helpdoctoral students to define their goals, whereas the Otaniemi InternationalInnovation Centre and the Aalto University Teaching and Learning

Development unit offer services and education for them.

3.8.1 Supervisor

The doctoral dissertation is made under the supervision of the professor incharge of the research field selected by the student. Supervisors of doctoral

dissertations must have the rank of a university professor. On reasonablegrounds, an Academy Professor working at the university, or a professor of theSchool of Science and Technology who is on leave of absence but engaged inother tasks at the university, may act as a supervisor, if so disposed.

The supervisor specifies the scientific direction and level of difficulty of theresearch, ensuring with the facultys help that it is related to the research field,

and that the doctoral studies meet the degree regulations of the Aalto UniversitySchool of Science and Technology. Supervisors support and encouragedoctoral students, advise them on seeking guidance and assist them withfinancial arrangements if needed. The supervisors also help students in career

planning and are often the Custos at the public examination of the doctoraldissertation. If necessary, a doctoral dissertation supervisor can on occasion

act as an instructor.

Students should review their doctoral study plan and the progress of theirstudies and research regularly, at least once a year, with their supervisor. This

requirement applies to those who have been granted a right to study on or after1 August 2009. Other students are offered similar guidance provided they

present their research proposal to the supervising professor. If the student doesnot prepare a study plan or contact the supervising professor, the professor isnot obligated to follow up on the progress of the students studies.

3.8.2 Instructor

Instructors of licentiate theses and doctoral dissertations shall be professors, orhave completed at least the same level of degree as for which the person beingguided is studying. A docent or a researcher, for example, may act as an

instructor. Instructors are experts in the subject area and in the researchmethods. The task of instructors is to guide research at a practical level.

Instructors also take care that doctoral students take on and internalize soundscientific practice and research ethics, both generally and in their field. Thisinvolves a discussion, at the beginning of the guidance relationship when


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research ethics issues and ethical practice relating to the subject are

addressed. Research ethics are discussed in more detail in Section 2.2.

Students must be certain from the outset that instructors have both the time andinterest to offer guidance instructors must be ready to discuss, comment onmanuscripts, etc. Personal support and encouragement is also important.

3.9 Thesis

3.9.1 Licentiate thesis

Students must demonstrate in their licentiate thesis a sound, in-depthknowledge of their research field and an ability to apply scientific research

methods independently and critically. The thesis may be in the form of amonograph, or a combination of articles, or other work that satisfies the

equivalent scientific criteria. Research of the literature related to the researchfield that demonstrates a sound and critical grasp of the research subject can

also be approved as a licentiate thesis.

The research topic should be related to ones own field of research that hasbeen agreed with the instructor before starting. Research topics and methods

will naturally differ depending upon the field of research.

Doctoral students, independently but in collaboration with and guided by theirsupervisors and instructors, write their licentiate thesis in conjunction with orafter the completion of the theoretical studies. Doctoral students submit an

application for the approval of the topic of their licentiate thesis to the facultysoffice. The faculty assigns a supervisor and one or more instructors. It also

decides the language of the thesis and assigns the examiners.

3.9.1.1 Approval of a licentiate thesis

For their licentiate thesis to be approved doctoral students must first request thefaculty in writing that it be examined and use the form intended for the purpose.

The form and thesis in the correct format are then submitted to the facultyoffice. Generally, the supervising professor finds a suitable examiner for thethesis through personal contacts. The faculty assigns one or two examinersfrom outside the School of Science and Technology and requests an opinion of

the supervisor and the examiner/s.

Examiners prepare a written opinion about the research, and submit theiropinions to the faculty. If there are two examiners, they may submit a jointopinion. The licentiate thesis is approved at a meeting of the faculty council,based on the opinions submitted by the examiners. Doctoral studentsdissatisfied with their evaluation may apply to have it rectified by the Board of

Appeal. The examination of the licentiate thesis shall not without specialreasons take longer than two months from when the manuscript and application

were submitted to the faculty.

The number of copies required varies from faculty to faculty. Each doctoralstudent sees to the printing and possible publication of the thesis. Official


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copies must be printed on A4-size paper and bound in green-tinted covers. The

thesis must be bound before it is submitted to the faculty for public viewing. Thelicentiate thesis is a public thesis and must remain accessible at the faculty. A

presentation event is arranged at the faculty during which the author presentshis/her licentiate thesis.

When the doctoral student has completed all the theoretical studies needed for

the Licentiate of Science (Technology) degree and the faculty has approved the

licentiate thesis, the doctoral student can apply for a diploma at the faculty. The

faculty can approve the licentiate thesis and the degree at the same Faculty

Council meeting.

3.9.2 Doctoral dissertation

The doctoral dissertation is drawn up of a research topic related to the studentsresearch field. The topic is agreed with the supervisor before starting. Doctoral

students prepare their doctoral dissertations either in conjunction with thetheoretical studies or after them, or independently with the guidance of a

supervisor and instructor after their licentiate degree is completed. Doctoralstudents must submit a request to the office of their faculty in order to obtainapproval for the topic of their thesis. The faculty assigns a supervisor and oneor more instructors for the thesis.

As a doctoral dissertation may be approved a monograph or a sufficient numberof publications, or manuscripts accepted for publication dealing with the same

set of problems and a summary of them, or some other work that meetscorresponding scientific criteria. Publications may include also joint publications

if the independent contribution of the author can be demonstrated.

A publication here is taken to mean a refereed (peer reviewed) scientific articlewhich has been published or accepted for publication, in a scientific journal orother refereed printed work. If the dissertation consists of several articles, theyshall deal with the same scientific question or set of questions. The summary

shall contain an explanation of the research subject, the most important resultsachieved by the candidate, and a list of the articles mentioned above; if

necessary it should elucidate the articles further.

The general quality requirements for dissertations which the writer of adissertation shall pay special attention to are:

1. The dissertation shall contain new scientific knowledge in the field itrepresents. The dissertation shall clearly set forth the new findings. The new

scientific knowledge presented in the dissertation, or in the articles constitutingit, shall be up to date. The candidates own contribution to the research shall beclearly stated.

2. Methods, experimental setups, measurements and the data presentedin a dissertation should withstand the scrutiny appropriate for scientificresearch. The research findings and the analysis of results shall be soexplained and described that they can be replicated and confirmed.

3. The doctoral candidate shall present the results and conclusionsclearly and in such a way as to meet the scientific demands. The researchshall be set in the correct frame of reference by referring to the research results


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and methods of other researchers relevant to the candidates research;

particularly important are references to the latest published results, notforgetting primary sources. The dissertation should avoid verbosity; a concise

style is appropriate for scientific presentation. Matters of opinion or emotionalreactions are inappropriate to scientific style.

The Dissertations Committee of the School of Science and Technology hascompiled detailed instructions for those intending to pursue a doctoral thesis.

The instructions can be accessed online athttp://www.tkk.fi/en/studies/doctoral/instructions_for_dissertations . The

instructions contain information relating to doctoral dissertations and the publicdefence, for instance how permission to publish is requested and processed,the steps to be taken before the defence, and how to distribute the doctoraldissertation. Doctoral students should become acquainted with these

instructions before starting on their doctoral dissertation.

3.9.2.1 Approval of doctoral dissertation

The Dissertations Committee of the School of Science and Technologyoversees general standards for doctoral dissertation. Students must request

permission from the faculty before a doctoral dissertation manuscript can bepublished. As soon as the manuscript is ready, the supervisor looks for thesuitable preliminary examiners, and for someone else suitable to act as anopponent. The faculty assigns two preliminary examiners and decides thelanguage of the thesis. Preliminary examiners are sought from outside theSchool of Science and Technology, and in addition preferably from abroad.

The faculty submits the doctoral dissertation manuscript and an extract from theminutes to the Dissertations Committee for its opinion. The committee thenacquires and deals with the statements of the preliminary examiners. Getting

permission to have a doctoral manuscript published depends on how soon thepreliminary examiners give their opinion, how much the manuscript needscorrecting, and if another statement must be requested from the supervisor orpreliminary examiner(s) before the dissertation committee gives its statement tothe faculty. Processing the request to publish must take no longer than fourmonths from when the manuscript and application were submitted to the faculty(Degree Regulations of the Aalto University School of Science and Technology,

Article 42). Faculties grant the permission to publish after obtaining expertstatements and the statement of the Dissertation Committee.

Following the public defence, the opponent(s) must submit a written statementon the dissertation and the defence to the faculty within two weeks for thepurpose of having the thesis approved and evaluated. The author is offered an

opportunity to reply to the opponents statements and other comments inwriting. The faculty then decides on approving the dissertation, and what gradeto award. Dissertations are evaluated using the following grades: Pass withdistinction, Pass, and Fail. Students dissatisfied with the grade awarded for

their doctoral dissertation may appeal the decision to the Board of Appeal within14 days of being notified of the Faculty Council decision.


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3.10 Grading and diplomas for doctoral degrees

The grades used for accepted study attainments are: Excellent (5), Very Good

(4), Good (3), Very Satisfactory (2), or Satisfactory (1). In addition, for well-

founded reasons, accepted study attainments of some courses can also begiven the gradepass. This must be mentioned in the information on the coursein the university curriculum. Study entities forming part of the degree are graded

as being eitherPass orPass with distinction.

A grade can be Pass with distinction if the credit-weighted average grade forthe module courses is at least 4.0. If over half of the modules ECTS credits arenot included in the calculation, the professor in charge of the module decidesthe grade. Doctoral dissertations are graded as either Pass or Pass withdistinction.

The faculty issues a diploma for doctoral studies when the studies are

completed. To be issued a diploma, a student must have enrolled as beingpresent at the School of Science and Technology. The Executive Deandistributes diplomas at a graduation ceremony held about once a month.Faculty offices inform doctoral students when a decision of their graduation has

been made, and invite them to attend the graduation ceremony.

The diploma for a degree of Licentiate of Science contains the following:

type of degree completed

name of research field name of licentiate thesis, grade and supervisor

The diploma for a degree of Doctor of Science contains the following: type of degree completed name of research field

name of dissertation, grade, supervisor, date on which publiclydefended, and information about the opponent

possible completion date and place of a technical licentiate degree

A person who earns the rank of doctor of science at the School of Science andTechnology is entitled to receive the regalia approved by Council (the doctor ofscience hat and the embroidered ribbon to be attached permanently to the

tailcoat (for men), or the oval brooch (for women) at a ceremonial conferment ofdegrees. A person earning the rank of Doctor of Philosophy at the School of

Science and Technology is entitled to receive the doctor of philosophy hat. TheExecutive Dean decides of the arrangement of the conferment ceremony. The

ceremony is celebrated typically every second year.


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4. FINANCING DOCTORAL STUDIES

Doctoral students have various alternatives to finance their studies and doctoraldissertations. It is worth discussing this with, for example, the professor

supervising your studies.

4.1 National doctoral programmes

Doctoral students studying in national doctoral programmes receive a basicsalary financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture. Frequently, suchstudents work in a project within an operational unit through which it may bepossible to obtain payments in accordance with the regulations of the Aalto

University School of Science and Technology. In Annex 2, you will find a list ofthe national doctoral programmes coordinated by the School of Science and

Technology, and other doctoral programmes that the university is involved in.

4.2 Assistantships

Assistantships are intended for doctoral students. Besides pursuing doctoral

studies, assistants are responsible for giving tuition but not in the form oflectures offering advice and guidance for students, sharing in educationalplanning and development, and in other tasks related to activities at the Schoolof Science and Technology.

The tasks of assistants are arranged as far as possible so that doctoral

students have three months during the year to pursue research, primarilyduring times when no teaching is given. The research period may also be splitinto two shorter periods.

Assistants are nominated to their posts for a period lasting three years. For

more information about the assistantship, please see the regulationsconcerning teachers positions of 9 December 2002:

http://www.tkk.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/tyopaikat/tkkn_opettajan_virkoja_koskeva_johtosaanto.pdf (in Finnish).

4.3 Research projects at the School of Science andTechnology

The School of Science and Technology primarily employs its own doctoral

students for university research projects. Doctoral students can work asresearchers in a faculty, a separate unit, or a research institute. Privateenterprises often form the second party in research projects. The research workis described in greater detail in Section 2. You can find out more about research

projects from a professor in your research field.


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4.4 Financing research teams

The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES) supports

a broad range of research activities at universities and research institutions.

The work of TEKES is aimed at developing internationally competitivetechnology products and production methods of a high quality. Financing canbe granted to individual research projects, projects related to technology

programmes, and to international projects and their preparation. You can findout more about the financing potential of Tekes at

http://www.tekes.fi/eng/tekes/rd/default.htm .

The Academy of Finland funds high-level scientific research, acts as an experton science and scientific policy and confirms the standing of science andresearch work. It uses several ways to finance research for various purposes.

The Academy grants money for research posts and high-level researchprojects and for promoting science, for example through researcher education

or international cooperation between researchers. The Academy of Finlandgrants funding to the best researchers and research teams and to the mostpromising young research talents. There are two application cycles each yearand each form of funding is available only once a year. International grant

applications can be available at other times. Funding is fixed-term, and fundingdecisions are based on the scientific evaluation of applications. You can get

details about Academy of Finland funding possibilities at: http://www.aka.fi/en-gb.

The European Union funds research through its framework programmes. Calls

for applications for the current, 7th Framework Programme were opened at theend of 2006, and the framework programme will run until the end of 2013.There will be a significant increase in framework programme funding. TheSchool of Science and Technology has succeeded well in obtaining EUfunding.

Usually, the accountable project leaders of international projects at the School

of Science and Technology are professors, and doctoral students would do wellto discuss with their professor about taking part in a research project.

Marie Curie Actions funding for EU researcher training and researcher mobility

will increase through the new framework programme on research. The grantswill be available to networks, and for researcher training positions sought by

universities. Doctoral students can apply for researcher training positions eitherin another university or in an enterprise outside Finland. No further EU funding

will be offered to individual doctoral researchers. Researcher training positionswill be advertised on a portal: http://www.aka.fi/eracareers . National doctoral

programmes in Finland can also apply for additional funding as coming from theMarie Curie Actions fund.

Students can discuss international research financing terms, application cyclesand preparing a good application with a research liaison officer at OtaniemiInternational Innovation Centre (OIIC). For details on other international funding

sources, please see the web pages at:http://www.tkk.fi/fi/yleista/kansainvalisyys/kansainvalistymisen_rahoitus_mahdol

lisuuksia


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4.5 Scholarships and grants

Aalto University School of Science and Technology researcher training

scholarshipsHelsinki University of Technology awards scholarships for full-time doctoral

studies every year. The scholarship is worth EUR 18,000 per one academicyear, (12 months) (20102011). The scholarship can also be awarded for a

shorter period.

The purpose of the scholarship is to support doctoral students in launching andcompleting their studies or to provide supplementary funding in a situationwhere, for example, project funding has temporarily run out. The system isintended to contribute to internationalisation activities in particular, and so

scholarships are also awarded for conducting part of research and studiesabroad. The scholarships are not intended for the continuous funding ofdoctoral studies. As a rule, the scholarship may be awarded to the sameperson only once. The application period for the scholarship is in the spring of

each year. For further information, please visit:www.tkk.fi/en/studies/doctoral/financingstudies/tkkscholarships

Research Foundation of the Aalto University School of ScienceTechnology grants

The Research Foundation of the Aalto University School of ScienceTechnology awards grants for doctoral studies abroad. The application period

is usually in the spring of each year, and application forms are available at:www.tkk.fi/fi/ajankohtaista/apurahat/tukisaatio (in Finnish).

Aalto University School of Science and Technology incentive

scholarships for doctoral studentsThe Aalto University School of Science and Technology awards incentivescholarships to doctoral students according to the following principles. Thecriteria are applied to those who have fulfilled the requirements as of 1 January2002. Note that applicants are eligible for only one of the last three

scholarships mentioned below.

1 000-euro scholarship for doctoral students who have completed thetheoretical studies required for doctoral degrees within two years after

completing their masters degree (60 credits/45 old credits), asstipulated by the degree regulations in force.

1 000-euro scholarship for completing the licentiate degree, for students

who have completed the licentiate degree within three years aftercompleting the masters degree, or for students who have completedthe licentiate degree under the age of 28.

1 000-euro scholarship for an approved doctoral dissertation, or 2 000-euro scholarship for completing the doctoral degree, provided the

degree was completed within five years after completing the mastersdegree, or

3 000-euro scholarship for completing the doctoral degree, provided thedegree was completed under the age of 30.

The total study time is calculated excluding any maternity and parental leaveand national military or non-military service. However, if the scholarship is age-

dependent no deduction is granted. Scholarships are granted based on anapplication made by the person in question. Application forms can be

completed online at

guide for doctoral students 22062010[1]

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