Seija Oikarinen, Sari Mikkola 29.4.2008

1. 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