Student Guide

Programmes

Master's Programme in Engineering Physics

Programme main page

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Planning your studies

The personal study plan describes the study path you intend to follow in order to complete your degree and is the key tool for planning your studies. Your study plan includes all the courses you are planning to take in each academic year and semester. The degree structure of your Master’s programme forms the basis for your study plan but in most cases there are room for individual choices, especially when it comes to elective studies.

Submitting the study plan does not mean it’s permanent. You can update it during your studies.

Sisu instructions main page illustration

The front page of Sisu instructions for students

Applications, instructions and guidelines

How to create a personal study plan (HOPS) on Sisu

Applications, instructions and guidelines

You can have several study plans but only one can be a primary one.
You need to have your study plan approved by the time you apply for master thesis topic at the latest.
When your degree is compiled, your degree certificate will be based on your study plan. Check that your study plan is correct before applying for degree certificate!
Do the timeline! In this way you can check how much studies you are planning to take and you can spread the studies more evenly.

If your approved part of study plan needs to be changed, you need to cancel or give up the previous approval before you can send it to be approved again. Modify the study module and apply for approval again. If you need to change the part that you have requested to be approved, cancel the request, do the required changes and request approval again.

Major Material physics and Quantum technology: Suggestions for optional courses for sample study paths

PHYS-E0410 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS-E0415 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS-E0431 Quantum Many-body Physics 1
PHYS-E0434 Advanced Quantum Materials
MS-Exxxx One mathematics, applied mathematics or systems analysis course
CS-C3260 Practical Quantum Computing
CS-E4680 Quantum Machine Learning
TCM322 Quantum Information A (University of Helsinki)
TCM323 Quantum Information B (University of Helsinki)

PHYS-E0410 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS-E0415 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS-E0431 Quantum Many-body Physics 1
PHYS-E0434 Advanced Quantum Materials
PHYS-E0554 Nanoelectronics
PHYS-E0555 Low Temperature Physics and Cryogenics
PHYS-E0556 Superconductivity
PHYS-E6575 Experimental Methods in Physics
ELEC-E9430 Microwave Engineering

PHYS-E0410 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS-E0415 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS-E0431 Quantum Many-body Physics 1
PHYS-E0434 Advanced Quantum Materials
PHYS-E0423 Surface Physics
PHYS-E0525 Microscopy of Nanomaterials
PHYS-E0430 Magnetism and Spintronics
PHYS-E0565 Programming course on Monte Carlo particle transport simulations
ELEC-E3140 Semiconductor Physics

PHYS-E0410 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS-E0415 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS-E0431 Quantum Many-body Physics 1
PHYS-E0434 Advanced Quantum Materials
PHYS-E0435 Optical Physics
PHYS-E0436 Modern Optics
PHYS-E0437 Laser Physics
ELEC-E3240 Photonics
ELEC-E9430 Microwave Engineering

PHYS-E0410 Quantum Mechanics 2
PHYS-E0415 Statistical Mechanics
PHYS-E0434 Advanced Quantum Materials
PHYS-E0435 Optical Physics
PHYS-E0423 Surface Physics
PHYS-E0554 Nanoelectronics
PHYS-E0525 Microscopy of Nanomaterials
PHYS-E0526 Microscopy of Nanomaterials, laboratory course
ELEC-E3240 Photonics

Studies in quantum technology

Department of Applied Physics (School of Science) and Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering (School of Electrical Engineering) have entered into a study cooperation agreement with the Faculty of Science of University of Helsinki as of 14 October 2021. The agreement concerns the following groups of students:

Students in the Master’s Programme in Engineering Physics
Students in the Master’s Programme in Electronics and Nanotechnology
Students in the Master’s Programme in Automation and Electrical Engineering
Doctoral students of the School of Science in the field of engineering physics
Doctoral students of the School of Electrical Engineering in the field of photonics and nanotechnology
Doctoral students of the School of Electrical Engineering in the field of radio science and engineering.

These students may apply for the following courses in University of Helsinki. The courses are intended to complement the courses offered by the home university. Doctoral students: select courses that are under the headline "UH Courses, advanced studies" on the electronic application form.

The relevant courses of University of Helsinki are listed below. For specific details and course schedules, please use the search tool at https://sis-helsinki.funidata.fi/student/search or at https://studies.helsinki.fi/courses.

Code	Name	Credits	Level	Language
BSPH2004	Introduction to quantum physics	5	BSc	EN
BSPH2005	Applications of quantum physics I: atoms and molecules	5	BSc	EN
BSPH2006	Applications of quantum physics II: solid state and elementary particles	5	BSc	EN
CSM14211	Introduction to the Programming Quantum Computers	5	MSc	EN
FILM-312a	Philosophy of Science, Advanced	5	MA	FI
FYS2003	Kvanttifysiikan perusteet (Basics of Quantum Physics)	5	BSc	FI
FYS2003	Kvantfysikens grunder	5	BSc	SWE
FYS2005	Kvanttifysiikan sovelluksia - Atomit ja molekyylit (Quantum physics applications)	5	BSc	FI
FYS2005	Kvantfysikens tillämpningar - Atomer och molekyler	5	BSc	SWE
FYS2006	Kvanttifysiikan sovelluksia - Tiivis aine ja alkeishiukkaset	5	BSc	FI
FYS2005	Kvantfysikens tillämpningar - Det fasta tillståndet och elementarpartiklar	5	BSc	SWE
FYS2061	Kvanttimekaniikka 1a	5	BSc	FI
FYS2062	Kvanttimekaniikka 1b	5	BSc	FI
FYS2019	Kvanttistatistiikka (Quantum Statistics)	5	BSc	FI
FYS2029	Kvanttilaskenta (Quantum Computing)	5	BSc	FI
KEM372	Laser Spectroscopy Instrumentation	5	MSc	EN
KEM365	Laser Spectroscopy	5	MSc	EN
MAST31218	Introduction to Quantum Computation	5	MSc	EN
MAST31709	Optimal Stochastic Control	5	MSc	EN
MATR303	Solid State Physics	5	MSc	EN
MATR322	Numerical Methods in Scientific Computing	10	MSc	EN
MATR324	Monte Carlo simulations in physics	5	MSc	EN
MATR327	Computational nanoscience	10	MSc	EN
PAP346	Path Integral Quantization of Gauge Field Theories	5	MSc	EN
PAP334	Statistical methods	5	MSc	EN
TCM302	Quantum mechanics lia	5	MSc	EN
TCM303	Quantum mechanics lib	5	MSc	EN
TCM304	Mathematical Methods of Physics IIIa	5	MSc	EN
TCM305	Mathematical Methods of Physics IIIb	5	MSc	EN
TCM325	Kinetic Theory I	5	MSc	EN
TCM326	Kinetic Theory II	5	MSc	EN
TCM327	Quantum field theory I	5	MSc	EN
TCM328	Quantum field theory II	5	MSc	EN
TCM329	Quantum field theory III	5	MSc	EN
TCM332	Quantum field theory IV	5	MSc	EN
TCM333	Open Quantum Systems I	5	MSc	EN
TCM334	Open Quantum Systems II	5	MSc	EN
TCM320	Stochastic Methods A	5	MSc	EN
TCM321	Stochastic Methods B	5	MSc	EN
TCM322	Quantum Information A	5	MSc	EN
TCM323	Quantum Information B	5	MSc	EN
TCM306	Advanced Statistical Physics	5	MSc	EN

The aim is to enable completing courses as flexibly as possible, provided there are places on the course. Any quotas are mentioned in the course descriptions. Course descriptions and course schedules can be found using the search tool at https://sis-helsinki.funidata.fi/student/search or at https://studies.helsinki.fi/courses.

Applications may be sent any time, but it must be done in good time before the course begins. The teacher has the right to limit the number of students and set any prerequisites. If the student does not fulfil the prerequisites or the course is full, the teacher may also reject the registrations.

The right to study is valid for a year. These courses may be completed only if the student’s right to study also in the home university is valid.

The applications are sent through an electronic form at https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/114254/lomake.html.

Add the courses to your study plan provisionally as a study draft.

Instructions

Once you have completed the course(s), apply for credit transfer as specified in the instructions linked below. Follow the steps under the headline Applying for inclusion or a custom course credit through a study draft.

https://www.aalto.fi/en/applications-instructions-and-guidelines/substitution-and-inclusion-of-studies-on-sisu

Attach an official transcript of records from the University of Helsinki to your credit transfer application.

The courses are entered into the student register of Aalto with the grade given by University of Helsinki.

Practical training

The purpose of getting work experience is to develop and deepen the knowledge and skills gained during studies. Having work experience also helps in picturing the job opportunities after graduation, and creating connections to working life. Practical training is not a mandatory part of your degree but very much recommended.

You can get 1–10 ECTS from work experience related to your field of study. The credits can be included in your elective studies.

Getting work experience from abroad is a way of familiarizing oneself with the field of technology in an international environment, getting to know the local culture, and networking within the working community. Working in a country outside Finland will teach you to work in a foreign culture and improve your language skills. Working in a multicultural environment and living abroad prepares you for working life in a way that working in Finland does not.

More information and submitting the application can be found in the MyCourses workspace of SCI.trai - Training. Go to MyCourses https://mycourses.aalto.fi/ and search for the instance of SCI.trai - Training of the current academic year.

Career planning

Graduates of the Engineering Physics programme have traditionally found an exceptionally wide variety of careers both in the private sector, industry, and in the public sector ranging from research to consulting and management positions. A strong education in physics, closely knit to the research at Aalto University and Department of Applied Physics, is also an excellent starting point for a career in academia.

Analyst, Applications Engineer, Cryo Engineer, Data Scientist, Design Engineer, Fuel Expert, Nuclear Safety Engineer, Quality Engineer, Research Scientist, System Engineer, Test Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Reliability Engineer

Deloitte, Fortum, GE Healthcare, Minsait, Picosun, Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Rightware, Stora Enso, TVO, Vaisala, Vilant Systems, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland

The normative duration of studies is three years for a bachelor's degree, and two years for a master’s degree. If you were admitted to a master’s degree, you have four years to complete the degree. If you were admitted to both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, you have a total of seven years to complete both degrees.

The duration of studies is counted from the time the you enrol as present (attending) at the university. Students have a right to certain absences that do not expend their duration of studies. Absence refers to time when the student has enrolled as non-attending.

If you have not completed your degree within this target schedule, but still want to complete it, you may apply for an extension to your right to study.

Before applying for an extension to your right to study, please familiarise yourself with:

Aalto University policy on extension to duration of studies
the general instructions for applying for an extension
the instructions of the School of Science for applying an extension.

Aalto University policy on extension to duration of studies

Student Guide illustration, applications, instructions and guidelines

Application for extension to the right to study

Applying for extension to the right to study in the School of Science

If you have not completed your degree within the maximum duration of study, but wish to do so, you must apply for extension to your right to study. You receive a letter from the school approximately one year before your right to study expires. The letter gives instructions and the deadline for applying. The earliest time you can apply is the beginning of that term when the right to study expires.

Applications are dealt with twice a year. The application must be submitted

by 15.11. if the right to study expires 31.12.
by 15.5. if the right to study expires 31.7.

Please apply for an extension of study right only when you have the possibility and intention to study and finish your degree.

An extension of study right is not granted just in case. You should apply only when you are certain that you cannot finish your studies by the end of your study right (either by 31 July or 31 December).

Fill in an application for extension in Sisu.

Update your primary study plan in Sisu. Request approval for any parts of the study plan that need it.
Make a timetable for completing the missing courses in the Timeline sheet in Sisu. The study plan must be goal-oriented and feasible.
As soon as the status of your study plan is Selections done, navigate back to the notification box on the Sisu front page to apply for the extension.

Send the required attachments mentioned below to [email protected]. Use the following email subject line “SCI, your name, attachment to application for extension”.

Documentation of the reasons for the delay in your studies. NB! Working will not be taken into account.
If you have previously been granted an extension of your right to study, please provide an account on how you used the granted extension.
If you have statutory absences (military service, maternity or paternity leave, parental leave), please provide certificates for these absences.
If you are studying in a master's programme and are currently working on your master's thesis, send a thesis plan with a timetable. Ask your thesis supervisor for a statement evaluating the progress and timetable for completing your thesis.
If the reason for delayed studies is illness, submit a medical certificate. Such documents should be fairly recent. Documents which are several years old are usually not taken into account. Send all confidential material to [email protected].

Secure email

If you are using an email address other than your aalto.fi address, do this: first, sign in to the portal at https://securemail.aalto.fi. Then follow the instructions in the portal to send your attachments to this address: [email protected].
Use the following email subject line: ‘[Your school: ARTS, BIZ, CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI], [your name], attachment to application for extension’.
Please find the instructions for encrypted email at https://www.aalto.fi/en/cyber-security/deltagon-for-aalto-community.

You may be granted an extension if you can be expected to complete your studies within a reasonable time. The number of courses not completed is considered in relation to the planned time of graduation. Circumstances that may be considered as grounds for an extension include illness, difficult personal circumstances, extracurricular societal activities, student exchange or internship abroad and systematic sports training. If you have been granted an extension before, your progress during that time plays an important part in the decision.

The extension is granted by the dean.

The extension remains the same even if you enrol as absent during the extension. The absences not counted towards the overall duration of study mentioned above do not automatically mean a longer extension. They are, however, taken into account if you apply for another extension.