Reduction of doctoral studies

Seminar of the Aalto ENG Doctoral Programme 15.5.2012, Dipoli

Risto Lahdelma

Current Degree Regulations Aalto ENG

Approved by the Academic Committee for Engineering on 6 June 2011•Section 30 Doctoral studies:•Those admitted to doctoral education shall:

1. pursue studies that deal with preparation for scientific work, the application of research results and the dissemination of research findings (5-15 cr)

2. gain a broader knowledge of a research field than required for bachelor’s or master’s degrees (30-40 cr), and

3. become conversant with at least one subject area that is relevant to their thesis. (10-20 cr).

– The total extent of the studies mentioned above shall be 60 credits.– The school may, if necessary, require that students admitted to

doctoral education complete additional studies in order to earn the degrees referred to in Sections 32 and 35 below.

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Aalto SCI is reducing the doctoral studies from 60 to 40 cr

• Doctoral studies consist of:– Scientific practice and methodology 5-20 cr– Research field 20-35 cr– Max 20 cr of supplementary studies may be required

• Large intervals give flexibility to consider student’s existing skills, research requirements and future plans

• The supervisor is responsible for all studies• Research field studies can be completed also by a pre-

exam

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Aalto SCI justifications for 40 cr studies

1. Focus on relevant studies, remove the unnecessary2. The MSc studies already provide extensive studies in

the research field3. Recruiting foreign students becomes easier4. Easer to form international doctoral programmes when

studies are more similar across countries5. Easier to meet the 3-4 year study times stated by the

Bologna process by reducing studies, recognising earlier skills and intensifying supervision/instruction

6. The quality of dissertations must remain high

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Aalto SCI Transition to new degree regulation• New regulation takes effect 1.8.2012.• Old students can tranfer to new regulation by making a

new study plan• Old students can graduate according to old regulation

during transition period until 31.7.2014– 2-year transition period allow students who have already

completed studies according to old plan decide which regulation they follow

• After transition period, existing studies are transferred flexibly to the new system– In that case module sizes may be exceeded– Extra studies can be moved into supplementary studies

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Should Aalto ENG also reduce doctoral studies?

• Aalto SCI chose 60->40 reduction as a compromise allowing the other technical schools/universities to follow– Also the 60->0 model was discussed and supported widely

• All justifications are valid for other technical schools– Most of Aalto technical schools are likely to follow– Other Finnish Universities are also likely to follow

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Aalto ENG reduction of doctoral studies

• Questions to PhD supervisors– What are the benefits of the new model?– What are the potential problems with the new model?– Should we adopt the Aalto SCI model as it is?– Do we need to adjust the module sizes?– Do our PhD students need a ”minor subject”?– Can one supervisor be responsible for all studies?– Are any other changes to the degree regulation necessary?

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