Master's Programme in Electronics and Nanotechnology

Objectives of studies

The technologies covered in this programme are prevalent already today, and will be even more so in the future. The programme equips engineering students with all the necessary knowledge and tools to explore new worlds and solve practical problems to shape society for the better. Electronics and Nanotechnology graduates have:

• Fundamental knowledge in their field. Graduates understand the substantial dynamics and key scientific theories of their chosen specification area.

• A toolbox for building technology. Graduates can design and build technological hardware relevant to their chosen specification area.

• A researcher’s mindset. Graduates possess a strong theoretical background and a research-oriented, scientific and academic approach to solving problems.

• Revolutionary potential. Graduates are experts in technologies that change rapidly and will in many ways redefine the world we live in.

Upon graduation from the Electronics and Nanotechnology programme, graduates have gained substantial knowledge and skills to work as an expert in their chosen specification area.

Content of studies

Students can approach their engineering studies from both industrial and scientific perspectives. They can direct their studies either towards a theoretically-oriented manner or more hands-on practical applications. Thus, the programme is a combination of theoretical and practical courses that consist of lectures, independent exercises, computer simulations, laboratory work and group assignments.

The studies are closely connected to current research in the relevant field as all majors are linked to ongoing research within various research groups in the departments. There are four majors, i.e. specification areas, offered by the programme:

• Micro- and nanoelectronic circuit design

  In micro- and nanoelectronic circuit design, students learn to design modern wireless devices and understand the technology behind the latest developments in wireless connections, for example 5G. They will also be able to integrate digital and analog radio-frequency circuits into the smallest wireless sensors like the "Internet of Things", or implantable medical devices.

• Microwave engineering

  In microwave engineering, students learn to design microwave components for modern wireless devices and understand the technology behind the latest developments in wireless connections. In particular, students learn to design antennas for modern wireless devices and networks and predict how the waves propagate in different environments. 

• Photonics and nanotechnology

  In photonics and nanotechnology, students study the principles of physics governing the properties and interaction of light and matter. However, the focus is always on applying these theories to fabricating practical hardware devices. The manufacturing technologies originated in semiconductor processing for microelectronics, but these methods added with nanofabrication methods can be applied to many more application areas, such as sensors, optoelectronic devices (solar cells, LEDs, lasers), photonic devices, microfluidic devices and even nanoelectronic devices based on quantum physics. The Micronova research center provides the largest cleanroom facilities in Northern Europe to implement these applications.

• Space science & technology

  In space science & technology, four focus areas exist: space technology, earth observation, space physics and radio astronomy. During the studies, students will learn to design and build functional space systems, set up scientific space research projects and perform science with the results.

The course selection is wide and depends strongly on the chosen specification area. Here are some courses listed as examples:

• Antennas Workshop (5 ECTS)

• Electromagnetic fields (5 ECTS)

• IC Design Project (5 ECTS)

• Micronova Laboratory Course (5 ECTS)

• Microwave Earth Observation Instrumentation (5 ECTS)

• Quantum Physics (5 ECTS)

• Satellite Systems (5 ECTS)

• Space Technology Project (5-10 ECTS)

See the programme curriculum in the student portal Int

Structure of studies

The Master’s Programme in Electronics and Nanotechnology is organised by the School of Electric Engineering and comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Major studies (65 ECTS)

• Elective studies (25 ECTS)

• Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)

Majors are selected at the end of the first semester, after introductive common studies in the possible specification areas.

At the beginning of their studies, students define their Personal Study Plans (PSP) together with an academic advisor. The primary purpose of PSP is to ensure that the studies support the student’s interests and are completed in a logical order.

Master's Thesis

Master’s degree students write a Master’s Thesis as part of their studies. It is an independent project worth 30 credits, following from the major subject and testing the students’ maturity in it. Competence in the subject and its methods need to be demonstrated, as well as an ability to work independently and methodically with a minimum supervision. The final thesis should be a self-sufficient work that can be understood without reference to external sources.

The thesis topics may be sourced from the needs of either scientific or industrial sectors – for example, from a relevant planning, development or research projects. The university may also offer topics from its own research projects. The work for the thesis can include literary studies, planning of processes, machines, devices or software, or their parts, development of methods, or measuring and analyzing of results. Theses written for private companies normally include a description of the project, aims and limitations arising from the external or internal factors, forecast and choice of the possible resolutions of the project, and description of practical procedures and evaluations. The thesis can also be a more traditional research project or technological assessment where the aim is to illuminate some current state-of-the-art situation or development.

Career opportunities

Graduates from the programme typically embark on their globally-oriented careers in research and development-focused tasks, and eventually shifting towards different industry expert positions based on individual preferences. Resulting from the very research-based studies, a very popular option is to continue the studies as a researcher and a graduate student towards a doctoral degree. Some graduates also start their own companies or get employed in high-growth hardware startups in the field. Overall, employment rates for fresh graduates are extremely good as many companies within the industry are actively involved already during their studies.

Aalto University has well-established career services through which you can get employed in Finland and abroad. Aalto students tend to find good positions with ease upon graduation.

International opportunities

As the programme covers technologies that are globally relevant, the study environment is strongly international and studies are conducted in multicultural groups. There are diverse possibilities for exchange studies all around the world included in the degree as an international minor. Other possibilities for developing one’s global competence are e.g. conducting practical training abroad, taking a summer course abroad or representing Aalto University in occasionally organised student competitions.

Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad each year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies, but also multiple free time events, activities and celebrations around the campus. Programme administrators, active student tutors and student support services work rigorously to help international students integrate into Nordic culture and welcome them at home in Finland.

Post-graduate studies

The programme qualifies for doctoral studies (Doctor of Science in an applicable field).

Additional informationn about research related to this programme can be found at the webpage of the department of Electronics and Nanoengineering.

Contact information

For enquiries regarding the application process, application documents and language tests, please contact [email protected].

For enquiries regarding the content of programme and studies at the School of Electrical Engineering please contact [email protected].