The Doctoral Programme in Engineering consists of seven research fields including spatial planning and transportation engineering; real estate economics; geoinformatics; civil engineering, water and environmental engineering; mechanical engineering; and energy technology.
The research fields can be found here.

Education objectives and intended learning outcomes of the programme

After completing the degree the doctoral student is able to carry out independent and original academic research.

Doctoral education at Aalto University is conducted within a multidisciplinary international academic community that provides opportunities for field-specific and multidisciplinary research, as well as for various forms of education and learning. High quality education, transferable skills training, and network-building ensure the development of doctoral students as independent researchers and experts of their research fields. The offered communication and language skills training supports the doctoral students to communicate about their research in the national languages Finnish and Swedish.

The education prepares doctoral students for academic careers at top-level institutions. It provides competencies to pursue various career paths also outside of academia, for example working at demanding expert positions or as entrepreneurs.

The doctoral degree is a requirement to serve as a thesis advisor for doctoral students and as examiner for a doctoral degree.

Intended learning outcomes for General research studies

Depending on the studies chosen for this module, the doctoral student will be able to:

• to comprehend and conscientiously address the fundamental ethical and sustainability considerations associated with their research
• choose and apply appropriate research methods to the research question at hand
• adhere to the principles of responsible conduct of research (RCR) in both their research work and interactions within the research community
• work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary and international environment, engaging with diverse stakeholders
• proficiently present their research in both scientific and professional settings
• identify, utilize and communicate their transferable skills, such as communication, interpersonal, project management, leadership and pedagogical skills, to work successfully in academic and other professional positions
• to communicate professionally in national language(s) and/or in English.

Intended learning outcomes for Research field studies

After completing this module, the doctoral student will be able to:

• demonstrate advanced discipline-specific knowledge
• identify essential research methods for their own research and apply them proficiently
• disseminate research findings through relevant research forums and to the wider public.

General research studies prepare students for research work, the application of research results and to learn the principles of responsible conduct of research. General research studies can include transferable skill studies.

Research field studies and doctoral thesis help students to gain comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of their research field and prepares them for the dissemination of research findings. 

In addition to the courses taught at the School in Engineering, the degree can include other courses taught in Aalto University or other universities, as agreed in the doctoral personal study plan of the student (DPSP).

Completing the programme in different languages 

The Doctoral Programme in Engineering is a multilingual programme. The degree language of a doctoral student is decided when the right to study is granted. Usually the degree language is the language in which the student writes their doctoral thesis. Students can also complete credits in other languages of the doctoral programme according to the degree requirements. 

The doctoral thesis forms the majority of the studies in the programme, even though it does not award credits. The thesis language is the language in which the thesis is written. If the thesis includes articles in different languages, the thesis language is the language of the summary. 

• More information on language of doctoral thesis https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/language-of-doctoral-thesis-and-degree  

It is possible to complete your studies mainly in English or mainly in the national languages. If you want to complete the required credits mainly in the national languages, you can find instructions on what kind of selections you need to make on the page Language of doctoral studies and degree https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/language-of-doctoral-thesis-and-degree. 

The languages used in studying 

The course tables on this page show the language of instruction and possible supplementary languages of instruction of the course implementations. The language of instruction is the language in which the teaching is provided, while the supplementary language of instruction is a language used alongside the language of instruction. The teaching offered in the supplementary language of instruction depends on the course: for a detailed description of the languages used in a given course, see the course’s MyCourses page.  

You can complete study attainments, such as examinations or course assignments, using either the language of instruction or the supplementary language of instruction. In some courses, the language of study attainments may also be a language that is not used in teaching. The languages of study attainments offered are specified in Sisu under each study unit implementation. 

* These are independent online courses, to be completed at findocnet.fi. Registration by email to udes@aalto.fi. More information at aalto.fi.

From conference presentations based on student´s own reasearch work, a maximum of 8 cr can be accomplished: 1 cr for poster, 1 cr for conference talk and 1 cr for conference paper.

Teaching and Academic advising: a maximum of 9 cr can be accomplished of several tasks.

** These are independent studies, to be agreed with the supervising professor and completed in the agreed timeframe. More information here.

** These are independent studies, to be agreed with the supervising professor and completed in the agreed timeframe. More information here.

Literature:

• A complicated, demanding scientific literature for experts (with substantial amount of mathematical equations): 70 pages yield 1 cr.
• A demanding scientific literature for experts: 100 pages yield 1 cr.
• Relatively easy scientific literature: 120 pages yield 1 cr.

Post-graduate courses are marked letter D in the course name, with letter L in the course code or as "doctoral" in the course description. For example:

• EEN-E2004 Mass Transfer D
• MEC-L1001 Design Science

The doctoral thesis is written on a topic related to the research field that the doctoral student has chosen and that has been approved by the doctoral programme committee of the School of Engineering and the supervising professor. The approval of the thesis includes a public defence after a pre-examination process. The accepted forms of theses are monographs and article-based doctoral theses.

Intended learning outcomes for Doctoral thesis

After successfully defending their thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• plan, execute, and report on their research and manage their data in accordance with established standards of academic research.
• proficiently search for, critically evaluate, apply, and synthesize existing knowledge; formulate research questions; and employ scientific research methods to create new knowledge.
• independently carry out research that generates novel insights and theoretical advancements in their own field of research.
• make syntheses and critical assessments required for addressing and resolving complex problems in the realms of research, innovation, and societal challenges.

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

The primary target degree for postgraduate students at Aalto university is the doctoral degree. However, in the fields of technology and business it is still possible to complete a licentiate degree before or instead of the doctoral degree.

The licentiate thesis is written on the topic related to the research field that the doctoral student has chosen and that has been approved by the supervising professor and the doctoral programme committee of th School of Engineering. The approval of the thesis includes a presentation of the thesis at the department after an examination process.

Intended learning outcomes of licentiate thesis

After successfully completing their licentiate thesis, doctoral students will demonstrate the ability to:

• discuss and present knowledge related to the field of research
• independently and critically apply scientific research methods 

A licentiate thesis is a public document and as such, it shall be kept available electronically at the university. All thesis works are public in Finland (law 621/1999).

The degree structure of the programme in Sisu also includes a module called “Extracurricular studies”. This module will not be included in the doctoral degree, but it can be used to register for courses which the doctoral student wishes to take in addition to their degree studies. 

These can be e.g.

Finnish as a foreign language: https://www.aalto.fi/en/language-and-communication-studies/finnish-as-a-second-language-and-as-a-foreign-language

Language and communication courses for doctoral students: https://www.aalto.fi/en/language-and-communication-studies/courses-for-doctoral-students 

Other language and communication studies: https://www.aalto.fi/en/language-and-communication-studies/teaching 

Researcher and working life skills: https://www.aalto.fi/en/doctoral-education/doctoral-courses-and-curriculum#2-researcher-and-transferable-skills-courses