TISE Programme
In Finland, the name of the degree is preceded by the name of the branch of study, such as in "filosofian tohtori" (Doctor of Philosophy). In TISE it is possible to obtain doctoral degrees in philosophy and technology.
The progress of studies is measured in ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits (cr). By definition, 60 credits measure the workload of a full-time student during one academic year and one credit refers to an input of approximately 27 hours of work, which consists of lecture hours, exercises, and other forms of instruction as well as independent work.
A doctoral degree consists of approximately 60 credits of coursework, and a doctoral thesis. The rough 60 credits of coursework in a doctoral degree consist of primary studies and supporting studies. The exact requirements depend on the department or discipline where the student is located (each TISE student is assigned to one of the nine departments/disciplines participating in TISE). The primary studies must be in the student's main area of research. When starting at the MSc level, an average student should be able to complete the doctoral degree in four years.
There is great freedom in the selection of supporting studies. It is reasonable, but not obligatory, to focus them on some area of research that supports the student's main area. For instance, if the main area is communications engineering then the supporting studies may be on mathematics, software engineering, or electronics. Also topics such as "scientific writing" and "history of sciences" are recommendable.
Both primary and supporting studies may consist of lectured courses, seminars, literature examinations, practical work, domestic or international summer schools, and so on. The exact plan of the studies is negotiated between the student and the supervisor, and it has to be subjected to formal approval by the university.
According to a decision by the board of TISE, the doctoral studies must contain at least two of the TISE key courses (at least 10 credits). Students, who have completed the coursework part of their degree by the start in TISE, are liberated from this requirement.
A doctoral thesis should contain some scientifically interesting results that are original by the author. The topic of the doctoral thesis must be in the student's main area of research. The topic is usually chosen after one or two years of studies. It is customary that the student decides the topic based on discussions with his/her supervisor. The doctoral thesis can consist of a collection of scientific publications written by the author (perhaps jointly with other people), together with a relatively short introduction.
See also
Some guidelines for doctoral dissertation in UTA