According to the Government Decree on University Degrees (794/2004, amended 1039/2013, §21) the objectives of scientific postgraduate education are that the student

1. Becomes thoroughly acquainted with her/his own field of research and its social significance

2. Gains the knowledge and skills needed to apply scientific research methods independently and critically and to produce new scientific knowledge within her/his field of research

3. Becomes acquainted with the development, basic problems and research methods of her/his field of research

4. Gains such knowledge of the general theory of science and of other disciplines relating to her/his own field of research as enables her/him to follow developments in them

5. Achieves sufficient communication and language skills and other abilities to work as an expert or a developer in demanding jobs and in international cooperation.

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Major subject Interactive Technology

1. Research-related Doctoral Studies, 40 ECTS credits

These studies consist of research methodology, studies deepening the student's knowledge of his/her major subject and research field, and other studies. These studies must also include studies in research ethics.

These studies may include intermediate courses in the major subject or some other subject, a thesis and other advanced courses in a minor subject, and research-related studies which exceed the minimum requirements of a Master's degree. Credit can also be given for courses taken at Doctoral Schools or abroad and for articles and other publications, conference papers and other scientific activities. The types of study that fall into the category of research-related studies are described below.

a) Courses expanding on the Master's degree
The supervisor and the doctoral student will plan these courses on a case-by-case basis. They may entail studies in the main topics of the student's major subject as well as intermediate, advanced or doctoral studies in the major subject or other subjects as agreed with the supervisor. All courses must be relevant for the student's degree. Courses in university pedagogy may also be included.

b) Studies in the field of the dissertation
The doctoral student and his/her supervisor agree on these on a case-by-case basis.

c) Research seminar in major subject
The seminar is obligatory for doctoral students of interactive technology.
The purpose of the research seminar is to train the student to conduct independent scientific research and write research reports. The doctoral student may fulfil the seminar's requirements in some other way than the seminar if the supervisor approves.
Each doctoral programme may provide more detailed instructions concerning the required extent, content and modes of these three categories of study.

2. Doctoral Dissertation, 200 ECTS credits

Separate instructions are provided on the doctoral dissertation.

LICENTIATE OF PHILOSOPHY

If a student wishes to earn a licentiate degree as an intermediate step towards the doctoral degree, he/she must complete the following:
Research-related Doctoral Studies, 40 ECTS credits
See above and

Licentiate Thesis, 90 ECTS credits

A dissertation manuscript with permission to publish from the School’s Management Board may be submitted as a licentiate thesis.
Separate instructions are given for the licentiate thesis.