Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

18
Briefing for Master's Degree Students: How to start postgraduate (doctoral) studies in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008 Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

description

Briefing for Master's Degree Students: How to start postgraduate (doctoral) studies in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008. Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. The purpose of doctoral studies is for the student to. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

Page 1: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

Briefing for Master's Degree Students:

How to start postgraduate (doctoral) studies in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Page 2: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

2

The purpose of doctoral studies is for the student to

1) become profoundly familiar with his or her field of research and its

impact on society, and acquire the ability to independently and

critically apply scientific research methods and contribute to new

scientific knowledge within the field;

2) become well-versed in the development, basic problems and

research methods of his or her discipline;

3) acquire a level of knowledge of general scientific theory, and of the

disciplines related to his or her field of research, that permits him or

her to follow future developments.

according to the Government Decree on University Degrees 794/2004

Page 3: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

3

The structure of doctoral studies in the Faculty of Agriculture and forestry

A postgraduate degree comprises theoretical studies and research

work. The emphasis is on scientific research.

A minimum of 60 credits of postgraduate studies in accordance

with the study plan:

I GENERAL POSTGRADUATE STUDIES (min. 15 credits)

-e.g. Language studies (max. 6 credits), Methodology (general), Applied

ethics, Philosophy of science, The research process, Popularization of

research data, Research policy and management, Research funding and

planning, Studies in university-level teaching and practical training (max. 5

credits), Studies related to the commercial use of research results, Scientific

publications (max. 5 credits)

Page 4: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

4

II FIELD-SPECIFIC STUDIES (min. 45 credits)

Major and minor subjects (10-35 credits)

-e.g. Field-specific postgraduate studies, Major subject literature exam,

Postgraduate seminars, Conference presentations and posters (max. 6

credits), International expert assignments (max. 3 credits)

AND

Field-specific methodology studies (10-35 credits)

Page 5: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

5

The outcome of the research work is

an article-based dissertation (a compilation) or a monograph

an article based dissertation contains a summary + articles:

-At least half of the articles included in a compilation dissertation

should have been previously published or accepted for publication,

and the rest should have been submitted for publication.

- Compilation dissertations submitted to the Faculty typically

contain four separate articles.

Page 6: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

6

How long does it take to get a doctoral degree?

4 years (a full-time work) – a recommendation

7 years is the average time the to get a doctoral degree

Page 7: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

7

What you should do before you start to apply

1. Find information

- from the Faculty WebPages:

http://www.mm.helsinki.fi/english/studies.html

- Guidelines to postgraduate (doctoral) studies

- Postgraduate courses

- Doctoral dissertation

- Forms

- Grants

- Graduate Schools

Page 8: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

8

What should you do before you start to apply

2. Discuss with

- your professor in charge in a major subject

- your Master Degree's supervisor

about research plan, study plan, funding of doctoral studies,

future plans (post doc plans)...

3. Find your research subject and supervisor(s) and discuss

with them about...

4. Evaluate your motivation – why do you want to start your doctoral

studies?

Page 9: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

9

Applying for the right to pursue doctoral studies

Applicants must have completed a basic degree

i.e. a Master’s-level degree

The application process varies slightly depending on the

student’s previous degree and where it was completed.

1) Applicants who have graduated from the Faculty of

Agriculture and Forestry

2) Applicants who have graduated from another faculty at

the University of Helsinki or from another Finnish university

3) Applicants who have completed their Master’s degree

abroad

Page 10: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

10

1) Applicants who have graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Application form:

http://www.mm.helsinki.fi/english/studies/forms/Application_postgraduate_studies.rtf

- Grade of the major subject in the degree certificate

a final grade of at least 3

- Grade of Master's degree

a minimum grade of non sine laude approbatur

- Supervisor of the research work

- A brief description of future studies

- Statement of the professor in charge

- Possible supplementary studies (if your major subject is changing)

Page 11: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

11

2) Applicants who have graduated from another faculty at the University of Helsinki or from another Finnish university

Estimation of your first university degree:

The professor in charge of the postgraduate major subject

should write a well-founded statement on the applicant’s

eligibility for studies in that subject. The student should have

completed a minimum of 100 credits in the major subject

of his or her postgraduate degree programme or in other

equivalent studies.

Page 12: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

12

3) Applicants who have completed their Master’s degree abroad

Apply for postgraduate studies using the application form for

international students which is available from Student Information and

Counselling or from http://www.helsinki.fi/admissions/ .

- Your degree certificate from a higher education institution

- Your transcript indicating the grading system of the institution

- The test score of a language test you have taken

- A statement of purpose in your own words

- The title and summary of your Master´s thesis, in Finnish, Swedish or English

- Your research/study plan

- Some clarification of how you intend to finance your studies at the University of Helsinki. The professor in charge for the postgraduate major subject should

write a statement on the applicant’s eligibility for studies in that subject.

Page 13: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

13

When to apply

Applications for postgraduate (PhD) studies are processed

throughout the year.

All applications and enclosures are reviewed by the Committee for

Research and Postgraduate Education (meetings around once a

month).

The right to pursue postgraduate studies is granted by the Dean.

The student must present a detailed postgraduate study plan within a

year of being accepted for postgraduate studies.

http://www.mm.helsinki.fi/english/studies/forms/Postgraduate_study_plan.rtf

Page 14: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

14

Registration

Accepted students will be enrolled for the ongoing academic

year.

Students must remember to enrol every year no later than

August 31, to keep the status as a postgraduate student.

You can join the Student Union but it is not obligatory for

postgraduate students. In case you want to join the Student

Union, please pay the student union membership fee.

Page 15: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

15

Rights and services for postgraduate student

Postgraduate students can enjoy most of the same benefits as

undergraduate and graduate students.

Exceptions for postgraduate students are: Students do not get a discount on bus and train fares All the health services of the Finnish Student Health Services

(YTHS) are at your disposal, except dental care (will be

changed June 1st) Student restaurants have a special price for post-graduate

students.

In order to obtain the Lyyra student card, you have to be a

registered student in a university and a member of HYY.

Page 16: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

16

Where to find postgraduate courses

Literature Examination on Research process, Philosophy of science and Methodology

Postgraduate courses available spring 2008 (mostly in Finnish) –

offered by the Faculty of Agriculture and forestry

Doctoral studies in Viikki - CourseRaKe

Courses in English - University of Helsinki

 

Page 17: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

17

Graduate Schools operating in Viikki campus

Agrobiotechnology focused on root-microbe systems (AB-RMS) Biological Interactions Graduate School Eläinten hyvinvoinnin tutkijakoulu EnSTe - Finnish Graduate School in Environmental Science and

Technology Finnish Graduate School on Applied Bioscience: Bioengineering,

Food & Nutrition, Environment (ABS) Finnish Graduate School of Neuroscience (FGSN) Finnish Graduate School in Plant Biology (FGSPB) Glykoscience Graduate School (GGS)

Page 18: Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

18

Graduate Schools operating in Viikki campus

Graduate School in Forest Sciences Graduate School in Pharmaceutical Research Graduate School Natural Resources and Environment (NatuRe) Helsinki Graduate School in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology

(GSBM) LUOVA - Finnish School in Wildlife Biology, Conservation and

Management National Graduate School of Muskuloskeletal Disorders and

Biomaterials (TBGS) Viikki Graduate School in Biosciences (VGSB) Yhteiskunnallisen ympäristöalan valtakunnallinen tutkijakoulu

YHTYMÄ