Degree regulations of the School of Electrical Engineering

Degree regulations of the School of Electrical Engineering Approved by the Academic Committee for Electrical Engineering on 7 June 2011. I General provisions Section 1 Mission As a unit defined in Section 3 of the Constitution of the Aalto University Foundation, the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, hereinafter the school, operates in the fields of science and technology. The school carries out scientific research in its fields, provides related higher education leading to degrees, and supports continuing education and societal services related to its fields of expertise in accordance with the Aalto University strategy. The special mission of the school is to create a scientific basis for the creation of new technologies in various fields, to create new technologies for its fields, and to train students as visionary experts in its fields. The school provides master s, bachelor s, doctoral and adult education. The school awards the degrees provided in Section 2 below as well as non-degree studies and study modules not included in them. Section 2 Degrees The school awards the following degrees: 1) Bachelor of Science (Technology) 2) Master of Science (Technology) 3) the licentiate and doctoral degrees of Licentiate of Science (Technology) and Doctor of Science (Technology) and Doctor of Philosophy. The degrees shall be completed in accordance with the Government Decree on University Degrees ( degree decree ) of 19 August 2004 (794/2004) as amended, as well as with the Aalto University General Regulations on Teaching and Studying and with the present regulations. For the purposes of the present degree regulations, bachelor s degree refers only to bachelor s degrees earned at a science university and master s degree only to master s degrees earned at a science university. Section 3 Organisation of education leading to a degree The education leading to bachelor s and master s degrees shall be planned and organised in the form of degree programmes focusing on expertise required in the field of science and technology. Separate provisions shall be issued regarding the degrees to which the different degree programmes lead. The education leading to licentiate and doctoral degrees shall be planned and organised by the doctoral programme in a research-fieldspecific manner. The school confirms the professors in charge of each doctoral research field. The education leading to a degree may be organised in collaboration with one or several Aalto schools or other universities. Section 4 Student admissions and right to study Students are admitted to the school to pursue both a Bachelor of Science (Technology) and a Master of Science (Technology) or only a Master of Science (Technology) in accordance with provisions issued separately on student admissions. Students admitted to pursue a bachelor's degree may continue with studies toward the master's degree as separately provided. Students shall be admitted to degree programmes in accordance with the admission criteria confirmed separately by the university. The admission criteria also contain provisions on transferring to another degree programme. At any one time, degree students may only have one valid right to study towards a certain bachelor s and master s degree or only towards a certain master s degree at the school. At any

one time, degree students may only have one valid right to study towards a licentiate or doctoral degree at the school. Students admitted to a master s programme on the basis of an applicable bachelor s degree earned at another Aalto University school or another university or polytechnic may be required to take supplementary courses before their admission as a degree student. Doctoral students are admitted in accordance with the admission criteria confirmed separately by the university. Students who do not have a right to pursue a degree at Aalto University may pursue nondegree studies at the school provided they have applied for permission to pursue such studies in a manner specified by the school. Section 5 Language proficiency Students must demonstrate in studies included in education for a bachelor s or master s degree or otherwise that they have attained: 1) proficiency in Finnish and Swedish which is required of civil servants in bilingual public agencies and organisations under Section 6(1) of the Act on the Knowledge of Languages Required of Personnel in Public Bodies (424/2003) and which is necessary for their field; and 2) skills in at least one foreign language needed to follow developments in the field and to operate in an international environment. Students who have been educated in a language other than Finnish or Swedish or have been educated abroad shall only be required to demonstrate, in studies included in education for a bachelor s or master s degree or otherwise, that they have attained the language proficiency referred to in paragraph 2 of the previous subsection. Students admitted to the school to pursue both a bachelor s and master s degree and who, under subsection 2, have been exempted by the school from the requirements set forth in subsection 1(1) either completely or only with regard to demonstrating proficiency in the second national language of Finland (Swedish or Finnish) shall complete a minimum of two credits in a language of their choice to meet the foreign language requirement of the bachelor s degree. II Bachelor s degree Section 6 Aims of the bachelor s degree The education leading to a bachelor s degree shall provide the students with: 1) knowledge of the fundamentals of the studies included in the degree programme and the prerequisites for following developments in the fields requiring expertise in science and technology; 2) knowledge and skills needed for scientific thinking and the use of scientific methods; 3) knowledge and skills needed for studies leading to a master s degree and for continuous learning; 4) knowledge and skills to understand and analyse the effects and potential of technology; 5) ability to cooperate and to participate in goal-oriented team work; 6) capacity for applying the acquired knowledge and skills to work; and (7) adequate language and communication skills. The education shall be based on scientific research and the practices of the field. Section 7 Extent of the bachelor s degree The extent of studies required for a bachelor s degree shall be 180 credits. The education shall be organised in a manner that allows the student to earn the degree in three academic years of full-time study. Section 8 Study modules of the bachelor s degree The studies leading to a bachelor s degree are: 1) a module consisting of basic studies required by the degree programme (75 85 credits); 2) a module consisting of common programme studies (15 25 credits);

3) three modules, at least one of which shall be an intermediate module included in the degree programme (extent of subject modules 18 22 credits); 4) a bachelor s thesis seminar and the associated bachelor s thesis (total of 10 credits) and 5) elective studies so that the total extent of the degree amounts to 180 credits. The total extent of the studies mentioned above in subsection 1, paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be 98-102 credits. The intermediate studies and scientific basic studies are included in the modules. Intermediate or advanced modules may be included in the master's degree only if the related basic or intermediate module has also been completed. The intermediate studies of a bachelor s degree major consist of a basic module of the degree programme and a related intermediate module, whereas minors consist of another basic module or a second intermediate module based on the basic module of the major. Section 9 Requisite components of the bachelor s degree To earn a bachelor s degree, students must complete the studies referred to in Section 8 above. Students shall demonstrate that they have achieved the goals set for the degree, for the studies and for the bachelor s thesis, as well as the language proficiency referred to in Section 5. Students shall write a maturity essay to demonstrate conversance with the topic of the thesis and proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. When a student is not required to have the language proficiency referred to in Section 5(1) the school shall determine the language of the maturity essay separately. Section 10 Bachelor s thesis seminar The bachelor s thesis seminar and the associated thesis constitute a study module which covers scientific thinking, retrieving, organising and processing information, as well as language and communication skills. The school appoints a teacher in charge of the bachelor s thesis seminar. A maturity essay shall be written in connection with the bachelor s thesis seminar. Further provisions on the bachelor s thesis seminar and the related application procedure shall be issued by the school. Section 11 Bachelor's thesis The bachelor s thesis shall be written on a topic related to the field of the degree programme, agreed upon between the student and the thesis advisor designated by the teacher in charge of the bachelor s thesis seminar at the beginning of the seminar. The bachelor s thesis shall be written in either Finnish or Swedish.Students referred to in Section 5(2) above may be granted permission to use a third language by the teacher in charge of the bachelor s thesis seminar. As necessary, separate guidelines on the use of other languages in bachelor s theses shall be issued by the school. The thesis advisor shall follow the progress of the bachelor s thesis and support the student in the process. The school is responsible for the approval and grading of the thesis. The bachelor s thesis is presented in a bachelor s thesis seminar. The bachelor s thesis is a public document which shall be available at the school. Section 12 Demonstrating language proficiency The excellent oral and written language proficiency necessary for the field of the student required under Section 5, subsection 1(1) above shall be demonstrated by writing a maturity essay related to the bachelor s thesis using that national language of Finland which the student has been educated in (Finnish or Swedish). The satisfactory oral and written language proficiency necessary for the field required under Section 5 subsection 1(1) of the present degree regulations, mentioned in the previous subsection, may be demonstrated by passing either an examination or a designated course in the other national language of Finland (Swedish or Finnish) offered by the university, or by

passing an equivalent examination at another higher education institution. Section 13 Demonstrating proficiency in a foreign language Students shall demonstrate to have acquired the level of written and oral proficiency requiredunder Section 5, subsection 1(2) of the present degree regulationsin one foreign language included in the curriculum. The language proficiency required under the previous subsection shall be demonstrated by passing a foreign language course or courses offered by the university Language Centre for this purpose. These courses place emphasis on the language needed in the field of study of the student. If the university organises an examination for the purpose of demonstrating the requisite language proficiency in a given foreign language, the required language skills may be demonstrated either wholly or partly by passing that examination. Section 14 Work placement A bachelor s degree may include a work placement furthering the professional development of the student, organised in accordance with the regulations of the degree programme. A compulsory work placement is part of the basic studies, while a voluntary placement is part of elective studies. A written report on the placement must always be submitted to the school, which approves the placement and awards the credits for it. A person conversant with the tasks practised during the work placement shall instruct the student in the work placement. As necessary, further guidelines on work placements shall be issued by the school. Section 15 Certificate for the bachelor's degree The school issues degree certificates to students who have earned a Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree in the manner referred to in Section 9. Section 16 Bachelor s degree with honours Students who, in the course of their studies, have shown excellent knowledge of the field as well as maturity and a sense of judgment in the bachelor s thesis may have this recognised in their degree certificate with the phrase 'Pass with Honours'. The decision regarding awarding a degree with honours rests with the school. A degree may be awarded with honours if the weighted average grade of the courses included in the degree and the grade for the bachelor s thesis is at least 4.0. Courses graded only Pass or Fail shall not be included in the grade average. A degree earned partly outside the school may be awarded with honours if at least one half of the studies counted toward the degree including the thesis and the associated maturity essay have been completed in accordance with the curriculum confirmed by the school. III Master s degree Section 17 Aims of the master s degree The education leading to a master s degree shall provide students with: 1) good overall knowledge of a major of the degree programme; 2) knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific knowledge and scientific methods or skills needed for independent and demanding artistic work and skills for continuous and flexible learning; 3) knowledge and skills to understand the problems of the field from the point of view of users and technical and social systems, as well as from that of the environment; 4) knowledge and skills needed for independently operating as an expert and developer of the field; 5) good language and communication skills and 6) knowledge and skills needed for scientific or artistic postgraduate education. The education shall be based on scientific research and the professional practices of fields requiring expertise in science and technology.

Section 18 Extent of the master s degree The extent of studies required for a master s degree shall be 120 credits. The education shall be organised in a manner that allows the student to earn the degree in two academic years of full-time study. Section 19 Study modules of the master s degree The studies leading to a master s degree are: 1) studies of research methodology (9 11 credits); 2) three modules, at least one of which shall be an advanced module of a major subject of the degree programme and no more than one of which may be a basic module (extent of subject module 18 22 credits); 3) master s thesis (30 credits) and 4) elective studies so that the total extent of the degree amounts to 120 credits The intermediate studies and advanced studies are included in the modules. Intermediate or advanced modules may be included in the master's degree only if the related basic or intermediate module has also been completed. The structure of a degree programme organised in cooperation with other Aalto University schools or other universities may on reasonable grounds differ from that presented in subsection 1 above. Section 20 Major and minors A major of a master s degree is based on intermediate studies focusing on topics relevant to the field. A student s major subject consists of three modules of the degree programme: a basic module completed either for the bachelor s or master s degree and a related intermediate module and one advanced module based on the above-mentioned intermediate module. Even if the student completed several advanced modules based on the same intermediate module, only one major may be included in the degree. Studies constitute a minor if one of the following combinations of two modules which are not part of the major are completed: a basic module and its intermediate module, or an intermediate module and its advanced module. Other combinations of two modules consisting of basic, intermediate, advanced or special modules may be accepted on reasonable grounds by the school. Students may also choose a minor from other degree programmes or from another Aalto University school or another Finnish or foreign university, provided that it is approved as part of the personal study plan of the student. By derogation from subsection 2 above, the major shall consist of a basic module, an advanced module and a special or another advanced module specified by the school if the related intermediate module is confirmed in the personal study plan to be included in the minor referred to in subsection 3. As necessary, the school shall determine how the previous studies of students admitted directly to master s programmes correspond to the modules constituting the majors and minors. The same modules may not be included in both the major and minor of the student. Section 21 Requisite components of the master s degree To earn a master s degree, students must complete the studies referred to in Section 19 above. Students shall demonstrate that they have achieved the goals set for the degree, for the studies and for the master s thesis and the language proficiency referred to in Section 5. Students shall write a maturity essay to demonstrate conversance with the topic of the thesis and proficiency in Finnish or Swedish. Students who have already demonstrated their proficiency in Finnish or Swedish through writing a maturity essay for a Bachelor of Science (Technology) or for another bachelor s degree earned in the same language as the current degree, do not need to demonstrate it again for the master's degree. When a student is not required to have the language proficiency referred to in Section 5(1) the school shall determine the language of the maturity essay separately.

Section 22 Master s thesis Students may apply for a topic for their master s thesis when the bachelor s degree and a minimum of 45 credits counted toward the master s degree have been completed. The master's thesis shall be written on a topic related to the major, agreed upon between the student and the teacher who is specialised in the topic of the thesis. On reasonable grounds, the school may also grant permission for the thesis to be written on a topic related to the minor. The topic and the language of the master s thesis are approved by the school, which also appoints a supervisor and one or two thesis advisors for it. As necessary, the school may assign the thesis supervisor to also act as a thesis advisor for the thesis. The supervisor of the master's thesis shall be a professor of the school or a holder of the title of docent who is working at the school as his/her main occupation. For special reasons, a professor of another Aalto University school may be appointed as the thesis supervisor. The thesis advisor shall hold at least a master s degree. The master s thesis must be completed in one year. If the master s thesis is not submitted for examination by the deadline, the student shall apply for a new topic by submitting an application to the school. While the master's thesis is being worked on, the thesis supervisor shall provide the student with opportunities to report on the progress of the work, on which the supervisor shall give feedback. Similarly, the supervisor may require the student to report on the progress of the work. In the thesis, the student must demonstrate ability to discuss the topic in a mature way. The master's thesis includes a seminar presentation or an equivalent presentation. The evaluation and approval of the master's thesis shall be requested in writing from the school. The supervisor shall present a written statement explaining the grounds for the evaluation and a proposal for a grade; as a rule, this shall be done within one month of the thesis submission. The school shall decide the approval and grading of the thesis after examining the written statement by the thesis supervisor. Further provisions on the master s thesis shall be issued by the school as necessary. The master s thesis is a public document which shall be available at the school. It shall be submitted in at least two copies. Section 23 Demonstrating language proficiency The excellent oral and written language proficiency necessary for the field of the student required under Section 5 subsection 1(1) above shall be demonstrated by writing a maturity essay related to the master s thesis using that national language of Finland which the student has been educated in (Finnish or Swedish). Students who have already demonstrated their language proficiency in a maturity essay for a Bachelor of Science (Technology)/(Architecture) or for another bachelor s degree are not required, as mentioned above in Section 21(4), to demonstrate it again by writing a maturity essay for the master's degree. The satisfactory oral and written language proficiency necessary for the field of the student required under Section 5 subsection 1(1), mentioned in the previous subsection, shall be demonstrated as provided above in Section 12(2). Students who have already demonstrated their language proficiency for a Bachelor of Science (Technology) or for another bachelor s degree are not required to demonstrate it again for the master's degree. Section 24 Demonstrating proficiency in a foreign language Students shall demonstrate to have acquired the level of written and oral proficiency required under Section 5, subsection 1(2), in one foreign language included in the curriculum. The level of language proficiency required under the previous subsection shall be demonstrated as provided in Section 13(2) above. Students who have already demonstrated their language proficiency for a Bachelor of Science (Technology) or for another bachelor s degree do not need to demonstrate it again for the master's degree.

Section 25 Work placement A master s degree may include a work placement improving the expertise of the student, organised in accordance with the regulations set forth in the degree programme. The compulsory work placement is part of a module mentioned in Section 19, subsection 1(2), while the voluntary placement is a constituent of elective studies. A written report on the placement must always be submitted to the school, which approves the placement and awards the credits for it. A person conversant with the tasks practised during the work placement shall instruct the student in the work placement. As necessary, further guidelines on work placements shall be issued by the school. Section 26 Certificate for the master's degree The school issues degree certificates to students who have earned a degree of Master of Science (Technology) in a manner referred to in Section 21. Section 27 Master's degree with distinction Students who have demonstrated excellent knowledge of their field in their studies, and particular maturity and sense of judgment in the master s thesis may have this recognised in the Master of Science (Technology) degree certificate with the phrase 'Pass with Distinction. The decision on awarding a degree with distinction rests with the school. A degree may be awarded with distinction if the weighted average grade of the courses included in the degree, excluding the master s thesis, and the grade of the master s thesis are at least 4.0. Courses graded only Pass or Fail shall not be included in the grade average. A degree earned partly outside the school may be awarded with distinction if at least one half of the studies counted toward the degree including the thesis and the associated maturity essay have been completed in accordance with the curriculum confirmed by the school. IV Degrees of Licentiate of Science (Technology), Doctor of Science (Technology) and Doctor of Philosophy Section 28 Organisation of doctoral education Doctoral education shall be planned and organised by the doctoral programme of the school in the form of research field-specific entities focusing on scientific thinking and on the generation of new knowledge in some area of science and technology. As necessary, doctoral study entities shall be organised collaboratively with other Aalto University schools and other universities. The primary doctoral degree awarded by the school is Doctor of Science (Technology), but earning a pre-doctoral degree of Licentiate of Science (Technology) is also possible. For special reasons, the school may grant a student permission to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy degree. Section 29 Aims of doctoral education The aim of doctoral education is that students: 1) become well-versed in their field of research and its social significance and gain knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods independently and critically and to produce new scientific knowledge within their field of research; 2) become conversant with the development, basic problems and research methods of their field of research; as well as 3) gain such knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines related to their field of research as enables them to follow developments in them. Section 30 Doctoral studies Doctoral studies are completed in the form of study modules. 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 that 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, as 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. Section 31 Contents of studies and thesis The school approves the research field of the student and appoints one of the professors in charge of that research field as the supervising professor of the doctoral studies of the student. The supervising professor shall be a professor of the school (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor or Distinguished Aalto Professor). The school approves the contents of the study modules referred to in the Section 1 paragraphs 1 and 2 above at the proposal of the supervising professor as well as the contents of the study module referred to in paragraph 3 at the proposal of a university professor designated for the task by the school. The school approves the topic of the licentiate or doctoral thesis, appoints a supervising professor and one or more thesis advisors for it, and takes a decision on the language, examination and approval of the thesis. The thesis advisor shall hold a Doctor of Science (Technology)/(Architecture) or a similar academic doctoral degree. As necessary, the supervising professor of the thesis may also act as the thesis advisor. Applicable courses which have been completed by the student before the completion of the master s degree but have not been counted towards it may be accepted to count towards the licentiate or doctoral degree. Also applicable courses completed at other Aalto University schools or other universities may be accepted to count towards the licentiate or doctoral degree. Section 32 Requisite components of the Licentiate of Science (Technology) To earn the degree of Licentiate of Science (Technology), the student shall: 1) complete the studies referred to in Section 30 and 2) write a licentiate thesis. Section 33 Licentiate thesis In a licentiate thesis, the student shall demonstrate good conversance with the field of research and the capability of independently and critically applying scientific research methods. An approved licentiate thesis may be a monograph or a number of scientific publications or manuscripts vetted for publication deemed sufficient by the university which deal with the same set of problems and a paper summarising the findings, or some other work which meets corresponding scientific criteria. A publication composed of several publications or manuscripts shall meet the scientific criteria for a licentiate thesis when evaluated as an entity. An approved licentiate thesis may also be a literature review showing good conversance with and a critical approach to a topic related to the field of research. A summary referred to in subsection 2 above shall formally be regarded as a licentiate thesis. The summary shall include a report on the research topic dealt with, the most important research findings of the author, as well as a list of separate publications mentioned above, and it shall, as necessary, complement these publications so that the entity meets the criteria described in the previous subsection. The publications may include co-authored publications if the author's independent contribution to them can be demonstrated. An account of the contribution of the author shall be provided in the summary. The evaluation and approval of the licentiate thesis shall be requested in writing from the school.

The licentiate thesis is presented at the school. The school shall appoint an examiner to the licentiate thesis, request a statement from the examiner and from the supervising professor and take a decision on the approval and grading of the licentiate thesis. Without special reasons, the examination of a licentiate thesis shall not take more than two months from the date of its submission to the school. The licentiate thesis is a public document which shall be available at the school. It shall be submitted in at least two copies. Section 34 Certificate for the licentiate degree The school issues degree certificates to students who have earned a licentiate degree. Section 35 Requisite components of the doctoral degree To earn a doctoral degree, students shall: 1) either earn a Licentiate of Science (Technology) or complete the studies referred to in Section 30; 2) demonstrate independent and critical thinking in the field of research 3) write a doctoral dissertation and defend it in public. A doctoral dissertation shall contribute to new scientific knowledge. Section 36 Doctoral dissertation An approved doctoral dissertation may be a monograph or a number of scientific publications or manuscripts vetted for publication deemed sufficient by the university which deal with the same set of problems and a paper summarising the findings, or some other work which meets corresponding scientific criteria. A publication composed of several publications or manuscripts shall meet the scientific criteria for a doctoral dissertation when evaluated as an entity. A summary referred to in subsection 1 above shall be formally regarded as a doctoral dissertation. The summary shall include a report on the research topic dealt with, the most important research findings of the author, as well as a list of separate publications mentioned above, and it shall, as necessary, complement these publications so that the entity meets the criteria described in the previous subsection. The publications may include co-authored publications if the author's independent contribution to them can be demonstrated. An account of the contribution of the author shall be provided in the summary. A doctoral dissertation is a public document which shall be available at the school. As necessary, further provisions on doctoral dissertations shall be issued by the school. Section 37 Granting permission to publish In order to obtain permission to publish the dissertation, doctoral candidates shall submit a manuscript of the dissertation and a related request for a permission to publish it to the school. The school obtains and processes the statements of the preliminary examiners regarding the manuscript of the doctoral dissertation. The doctoral candidate is provided with an opportunity to reply to the statements of the preliminary examiners. The school decides on granting permission to publish upon receipt of the expert statements from the preliminary examiners. Without special reasons, processing the request for permission to publish shall not take more than four months from the date of submission of the manuscript and the application to the school. Section 38 Public examination of a doctoral dissertation The doctoral dissertation shall be defended at a public examination for which the school determines the date and language. The work or works constituting the dissertation shall be available for examination at the school for a minimum of ten days before the public examination.

The school appoints a custos and one or two opponents to examine the dissertation at the public examination. If, for special reasons, the opponent has acted as a preliminary examiner of the dissertation, an additional opponent shall be appointed. The public examination shall begin with a short introductory lecture given by the doctoral candidate after which the opponent(s) shall present their comments. Subsequently, also the audience shall be permitted to present oral or written comments on the dissertation or its defence. If pertinent, these comments shall be taken into account in the evaluation of the doctoral dissertation. Further provisions on the arrangements of the public examination of a doctoral dissertation shall be issued by the school as necessary. Section 39 Approval of a doctoral dissertation Within two weeks of a public examination, the opponent(s) appointed by the school shall, either individually or jointly, submit to the school a written statement concerning the dissertation and its defence. Also any written comments announced as forthcoming at the public examination of the dissertation shall be submitted to the school within two weeks of the public examination. A demand of failing the dissertation must be made in writing and reasons must be given. Such a demand may be made by the opponent or a member of the doctoral programme committee who is entitled to take part in the decision-making concerning the study attainment in question. The written statements of the opponents and other written comments shall be submitted to the school to be used in the approval and grading of the dissertation. The author shall be given an opportunity to reply to these statements and comments in writing within a time determined by the school. Subsequently, the school decides on the approval and grading of the dissertation. Section 40 Doctoral degree, degree certificate and regalia The school issues degree certificates to students who have earned a doctoral degree. Separate provisions shall be issued regarding the organisation of conferment ceremonies, granting the regalia associated with the doctoral degree, and awarding honorary doctorates. Teaching arrangements and evaluation of study attainments V Section 41 Role of the head of programme The head of degree programme is in charge of the planning, execution, assessment and development of the programme. The head of the doctoral programme of the school is in charge of the planning, execution, assessment and development of the doctoral programme. Section 42 Curriculum of a degree programme The curriculum of a degree programme is a general presentation of the goals and implementation measures of the programme. The curriculum of a degree programme shall include at least: 1) the scientific and professional goals of the degree programme; 2) the head of degree programme; 3) the modules of the degree programme and teachers in charge of them; 4) the majors and minors of the degree programme and an explanation of their composition of modules and 5) the name of each course, its extent in credits, learning outcomes, the contents covered, teaching and working methods, timetable, language of instruction, the unit(s) in charge of organising the course and the teacher in charge of the course. The curriculum of a degree programme shall contain provisions on the inclusion of courses in modules and whether the course is compulsory or alternative.

As necessary, the curriculum confirmed by the university shall contain provisions on the maximum number of students admitted to the modules constituting the majors and minors and on the related admission criteria. The school publishes the study guides of the degree programmes which explain the curricula in more detail. Section 43 Teaching The teaching provided at the school is provided during teaching periods. The school provides teaching in the form of lectures, exercises, seminars, study excursions and using other purposeful methods. The school develops its teaching and evaluation methods continuously. Students shall register for a course in advance in a manner specified by the school. If necessary due to teaching arrangements, advance registration for a course may be organised during the term preceding the course. The contact hours of the course may be cancelled if less than five students register for the course. If the contact hours are cancelled, the course may be taken in a manner announced separately meeting the degree requirements. When a course consists of independently evaluated parts, students must be informed at the beginning of the course, at the latest, of how the independent parts of the course are weighted in the final grade. Section 44 Study guidance Each bachelor s or master s degree student shall have a tutor teacher instructing them in their studies appointed by the school. Tutor teachers shall hold at least a master s degree. Further provisions on tutoring shall be issued by the school. The school also organises other study guidance. Section 45 Personal study plan Each student shall prepare a personal study plan confirmed by the school. The personal study plan contains a plan of the completion of the studies included in the degree of the student. Inclusion of the course or study module in the personal study plan of the student may be set as a requirement for completing the course or study module. A personal study plan is confirmed separately for each degree and each student may only have one confirmed personal study plan at any given time. Further provisions on personal study plans shall be issued by the school. The provisions of this section shall apply, as appropriate, to the personal study plans of doctoral students. Section 46 Transfer of credits When pursuing a degree at the school, students may transfer credits awarded by another Aalto University school or other Finnish or foreign universities or institutions for corresponding studies and replace studies included in the degree with other studies of a corresponding level. The school decides the issue on the basis of a written application. Further provisions on the transfer of credits shall be issued by the school. Section 47 Examination arrangements If the degree requirements of a course involve a written or oral examination, a minimum of two possibilities must be arranged for taking the examination each year. Additional opportunities for taking examinations may be provided by the teacher. The school may determine certain periods for examinations. Examinations of extensive courses may consist of two or more parts. Examinations for a course shall be organised according to the degree requirements in force at the time. This means the degree requirements specified at the start of the course. Registration for a course or course component entitles the student to complete the course in accordance with the degree

requirements in force at the time of registration within one year of the end of the course or its component. If the degree requirements in question are no longer valid at the time of the examination, the student shall agree on the examination with the teacher. Examinations for courses to be removed from the curriculum shall be organised at least in the academic year following the removal. Students shall register for an examination one week before the examination is organised unless the teacher accepts later registration. Registration shall be interpreted as participation in the examination unless the registration is cancelled before the start of the examination. Section 48 Grades In bachelor s, master s, licentiate and doctoral degrees, knowledge demonstrated to be on an acceptable level is graded on a scale of 1-5. The same scale is also used for approved bachelor s and master s thesis.the grade for the whole module mentioned above in Section 8, subsection 1(4) is determined on the basis of the grade of the bachelor s thesis. In addition, on reasonable grounds, some courses may be graded Pass if acceptable knowledge has been demonstrated, provided the use of this grade has been noted in the curriculum. In licentiate and doctoral degrees, an approved licentiate thesis and doctoral dissertation and the study modules referred to in Section 35(1) are graded either Pass with Distinction or Pass. The study module referred to in the previous subsection is graded Pass with distinction if the weighted average grade of the courses included in the study module is at least 4.0. Section 49 Languages of instruction and degrees The languages of instruction and degrees of the school shall be Finnish and Swedish. The school offers the possibility of earning a master s degree and licentiate and doctoral degrees in English in accordance with the implementing regulations issued by the school. Also other languages of instruction in addition to Finnish and Swedish may be used. In examinations, students shall have the right to use both oral and written Finnish or Swedish or the language in which the course was given, if the course was lectured in a third language. The decision on the right to use a third language rests with the school. Section 50 Degree certificates The dean of the school and the head of degree programme sign the degree certificates for bachelor's and master's degrees. The dean of the school and the head of doctoral programme sign the degree certificates for licentiate and doctoral degrees. The school issues a degree certificate and a Diploma Supplement intended for international use to those who have completed a bachelor s, master s, licentiate or doctoral degree. VI Entry into force and transitional provisions Section 51 Entry into force These degree regulations enter into force on 1 August 2011. Section 52 Transitional provisions These degree regulations enter into force on 1 August 2011 and remain in force until further notice unless otherwise provided in Aalto University rules and regulations. If the competent administrative body is replaced before a decision is reached on an issue, the issue shall be forwarded for decision to the new administrative body. After the entry into force of these regulations the General Degree Regulations of the Aalto University School of Science and Technology (former Helsinki University of Technology) of 13 December 2004 as amended, will no longer apply at the school. An exception to this is Section 7 of the General Degree Regulations of Helsinki University of Technology under which the degree students may, at any one time, only have one valid right to study towards a Bachelor and Master of Science or only a Master of Science in a given field of technology or architecture at Aalto University. The

implementing regulations and other orders issued under the General Degree Regulations of the Aalto University School of Science and Technology (former Helsinki University of Technology) shall apply as appropriate unless otherwise provided in the present degree regulations or other rules and regulations. Students who have started their studies prior to the entry into force of these degree regulations shall pursue their studies in accordance with these regulations as of 1 August 2011 without any application needed from the student. The flexible arrangements mentioned in the Sections 8 and 19 of the present degree regulations regarding the modules confirmed in the personal study plan of the student shall apply to all students of the school after the entry into force of these regulations. The supervisor of master s thesis mentioned in Section 22 of the present degree regulations may be a person appointed docent prior to 1 January 2011 working at Aalto University as his/her main occupation. The supervising professor of doctoral studies mentioned in Section 31 of the present regulations may also be a person appointed to the position prior to 1 August 2011. For special reasons, the supervising professor of the doctoral studies of a student may also be some other professor of the school. The degree certificates defined in Section 50 of the present degree regulations shall be amended to the extent required by the amendments to these regulations or by other rules or regulations of Aalto University.