Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008
description
Transcript of 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
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
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)
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)
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.
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
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
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?
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
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)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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)
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