The student’s curriculum consists of a major (40-65 ECTS), an option for a minor (20-25 ECTS), elective studies (25-30 ECTS), and a Master’s thesis (30 ECTS), 120 ECTS as total.

Following the degree requirements the Master’s student has three possibilities to structure his/her studies:

1. Long major (65 ECTS) plus elective studies (25 ECTS) and Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS) (possible in both of the majors: Engineering Physics and Physics of Advanced Materials)
2. Compact major (40 ECTS), minor (20-25 ECTS) plus elective studies (25-30 ECTS), and Master’s Thesis (30 ECTS) (possible only in the major Engineering Physics)

In these two possible degree structures presented above, the extent of a major may not exceed 65 ECTS. Thus, the students will always have a choice of completely elective studies at minimum 25 ECTS.

Studies in engineering physics create a basis for the technological applications of physics and open doors for different careers in industry, science, and research. A profound understanding of physics and mathematics can be employed in finding novel solutions to both present-day and future’s challenges.

Studies in Master's Programme in Engineering Physics are strongly research oriented. Almost half of the MSc graduates continue towards a doctorate. The research focus areas range from experimental and theoretical materials physics to nanophysics and nanoscience, and to novel energy solutions. The study programme differs from a more classical university physics in its proximity to concrete, practical research questions. Its connection to real-life problems is very strong.

All students in the Master’s Programme in Engineering Physics may have a minor as part of their studies. You can choose a minor from those offered by Aalto University, other Finnish universities or universities abroad. You are advised to discuss the matter with the professor in charge or other member of faculty. The minor is confirmed in the Personal Study Plan.

In Engineering Physics major, you can choose to complete a minor subject instead of completing a more extended major.

For students having Physics of Advanced Materials as their major, a minor can be completed as part of the elective studies.

More information on Aalto University’s minor subjects:

• Minors 2017-2018

Students of the Engineering Physics and Physics of Advanced Materials majors choose 25-30 ECTS of elective studies. As elective studies, students can complete a minor and/or take individual courses from other programmes at Aalto University or other Finnish universities. Students can also participate in an international student exchange programme or do an internship in Finland or abroad (max. 10 cr). The elective studies can also contain a minor.

For more information on internationalisation, Aalto University’s minor subjects or internship:

• Minors 2017-2018
• Exchange studies
• Internship

Language studies

Compulsory language studies for students whose language of education is Finnish or Swedish are included as part of the bachelor’s degree. If the language studies have not been completed in the phase preceding master’s studies, they must be taken during the master’s degree studies. In this case, the student must take 2 ECTS in second national language and demonstrate both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency in one foreign language (3 ECTS) in order to fulfil language proficiency requirements. 

Students who have received their education in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or received their education abroad are required to complete only 3 ECTS in one foreign language (including both oral (o) and written (w) proficiency).

Students with excellent command of English (e.g. English as a first language) may apply for the exemption from the compulsory foreign language requirement and take 3 ECTS of Finnish courses instead. In this case, according to the Degree Regulations, the student has not demonstrated the requisite written and oral language requirement in a foreign language, which is reflected in the appendix of the degree certificate. Students may apply for an exemption in the beginning of each term (deadlines 15 September and 15 January) with an application form.

The language studies are included in student’s elective studies.

More information about language courses can be found on the Language Centre’s website.

Students are required to complete a master's thesis, which is a research assignment with a workload corresponding to 30 credits. The thesis is written on a topic usually related to the student's major, or in some special cases to the minor, and agreed upon between the student and a professor who specializes in the topic of the thesis. The supervisor of the thesis must be a professor in the University, whereas the thesis advisor(s) must have at least a master’s degree.

Master’s thesis work includes a seminar presentation or equivalent presentation. The student is also required to write a maturity essay related to the master’s thesis.

The master’s thesis is a public document and cannot be concealed.

For more information about the master's thesis process, please see https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=19277.

Professor in charge:  Adam Foster
Extent: 40–65 cr
Abbreviation:  EngPhys
Code: SCI3056

The objective of the major is to give the student the chance of profiling the studies for the future professional life while providing a very strong background in physics and mathematics. The studies include a lot of hands-on experience with research. Many of the students continue with a career in research, first with PhD studies.

The core idea of the major is to maintain the rigorous training while giving a possibility for the student to tune the contents. This rigor is a main strength, traditionally, of the program, both for doctoral studies and as regards its “brand name” on the job market.

Content and structure

The Engineering Physics major consists of two parts: a core content and a flexible choice of courses selected by the student. The core courses of the major cover important topics for engineering physics, and methods from computational, theoretical, and experimental physics. The core content includes also some choices for more detailed focusing on a certain subject. The rest of the studies have a very flexible structure, and provide the student with the possibility of focusing in physics, nanoscience, energy studies, or designing a more cross-disciplinary content for the major. The student can also choose to complete a minor subject, or complete a long major (65 cr).

The content of the compact major is: one mathematics, applied mathematics, or systems analysis course (5 cr), a choice between the Advanced Physics Laboratory or Computational Physics (5 cr), a Special Assignment (research or literature study, 10 cr), and 4 courses from the structure.

In the case of the compact major the student is recommended to take 30 cr of the major courses and 30 cr of others during the first year. The special assignment can also be completed during the summer between the first and second year in the programme.

Compulsory courses (20 cr)

^{* The mathematics courses on the MSc level include: MS-E1651 Numerical matrix computations, MS-E1652 Computational methods for differential equations, MS-E1653 Finite element method, 
MS-E1654 Computational inverse problems, MS-E2139 Nonlinear programming, MS-E1740 Continuum mechanics I, MS-E1600  Probability theory.} 

Optional courses

Select four courses (20 cr) from the selection below.

To complete a long major, the student selects elective physics or other relevant courses in addition to the core courses (40 cr) listed above so that the extent of the major is 65 cr. All the courses listed in the tables above or in the example tracks of the long major (Computational physics tracks and Advanced Energy Technologies tracks) are acceptable.

The long major offers a chance of profiling the studies by a specialization in a topic. Examples of this are in-depth studies of theoretical/computational physics of materials, experimental physics, and energy sciences. To this end, if the student wishes to include other courses to the long major than the courses listed above or in the example tracks, the student may seek advice on the course selection with his/her teacher tutor. The student may also contact other professors according to his/her interests to discuss course choices for the long major, or the programme director Mikko Alava. Email addresses are in the format of firstname.lastname(a)aalto.fi.

• Nuclear engineering: Filip Tuomisto
• Computational physics: Adam Foster
• New energy sources: Peter Lund

In the case of a long major (65 cr) the student is recommended to take 40 cr of the major courses and 20 cr of others during the first year. The special assignment can also be completed during the summer between the first and second year in the programme.

In addition to normal Master’s programme, engineering physics will be offered as a doctoral track. Following this track means that students can have their studies tailored towards a research career. Mentored by a professor of the department, the student can start working towards a PhD in one of the department’s research groups (linked to: http://physics.aalto.fi/en/groups/) already during their Master studies. Within the track there are suggested packages (see below) tailoring studies towards more theoretical and computational approaches, or more experimental, as well as balanced options. Please note that after completing the Master’s degree, students need to apply for doctoral studies if they want to continue their studies towards a PhD.

Balanced track (65 cr)

Computational track (65 cr)

Experimental track (65 cr)

In order to tailor the Engineering Physics major towards the energy sector, the student is advised to include following courses in the core part of the major:  

Compulsory courses (20 cr):

Recommended optional courses (20 cr):

^{* The mathematics courses on the MSc level include: MS-E1651 Numerical matrix computations, 
MS-E1652 Computational methods for differential equations, MS-E1653 Finite element method, 
MS-E1654 Computational inverse problems, MS-E2139 Nonlinear programming, 
MS-E1740 Continuum mechanics I, MS-E1600 Probability theory.} 

For completing the extended major, the student can choose 25 cr from the following courses, and also include special assignments and other individual studies, upon agreement with Profs. Tuomisto, Lund or Groth. Further courses relevant to this major can be found in the course listings of the Aalto Nuclear Safety Minor and Multi-Disciplinary Energy Studies Minor.

Courses in Nuclear Science and Technology (choose 25 cr):

Courses in Renewable Energy Technologies (choose 25 cr):

Professor in charge: Adam Foster 
Extent: 65 cr
Abbreviation:  PAM
Code: SCI3057

In this major the students concentrate on materials in the wide sense. The academic environment provides a spectrum of contacts with top-notch research into advanced materials. The students are expected to focus either on experimental or theoretical and computational physics. The major is intended both for research-oriented students and for those who are particularly interested in advanced materials.

Content and structure

The Physics of Advanced Materials major is comprised of 1) core major studies (40 cr) 2) an extended major (25 cr) where the student chooses either a theoretical/computational or experimental track, reflecting her/his research interests.

It is recommended to take 40 cr of the major courses and 20 cr of others during the first year. The special assignment can also be completed during the summer between the first and second year in the programme.

Compulsory courses (15 credits)

Optional courses (25 credits) 

Select five courses (25 cr) from the selection below.

To complete an extended major, the student chooses 25 cr of courses either from theoretical/computational track or from experimental track.

To complete an extended major, the student chooses 25 cr of courses either from theoretical/computational track or from experimental track.