Program Overview

Introduction to the Doctoral Programme in Exact Sciences (EXACTUS)

The Doctoral Programme in Exact Sciences (EXACTUS) is responsible for doctoral education in applied mathematics, astronomy, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, physics, statistics, and theoretical physics. EXACTUS offers support to doctoral researchers, organizes events, and awards travel grants and grants for completing a doctoral degree.

Roles and Responsibilities

• The doctoral researcher has primary responsibility for the progress of their studies.
• The supervisor directs the student in planning and completing postgraduate studies and research.
• The research director monitors the progress of research work and postgraduate studies, ensures the scientific level of the degree, and proposes examiners for the thesis.

Doctoral Thesis and Postgraduate Studies

• The doctoral thesis may be a compilation of scientific publications or a monograph.
• The doctoral researcher must complete curriculum-defined studies for 40 credits (ECTS).
• Postgraduate studies include discipline-specific studies and general studies aiming for expertise.

Creating a Personal Study Plan (PSP)

• All EXACTUS doctoral researchers must have an approved PSP within the first six months of starting their doctoral training.
• The PSP is created using the Peppi system, and instructions are available in the UGIS system.

Registering Study Credits

• Credits from courses taken at the University of Turku are registered routinely by the course teacher.
• Other credits, such as conference presentations or research visits, are registered via an electronic form.

EXACTUS Events

• EXACTUS organizes an annual seminar day for doctoral researchers and supervisors.
• Information about upcoming events is sent via email.

EXACTUS Grants

• EXACTUS awards grants for its doctoral researchers, with calls posted on the intranet.

Annual Progress Reporting

• The progress of doctoral research and training is monitored annually by EXACTUS.
• Doctoral researchers fill in an electronic progress report form, which is used for career and review discussions with supervisors.

Career and Review Discussion

• The career and review discussion is held annually between the doctoral researcher and their supervisor.
• The discussion is based on the doctoral researcher's annual progress report and aims to discuss career goals in a stimulating atmosphere.

Dissertation Process and Graduation

• The UGIS system contains detailed information on the steps and documents required by the Faculty in the dissertation process.
• Instructions for the dissertation process and graduation are available on the Faculty of Science website.

Career Services

• The University of Turku offers career services, including personal career guidance and information about careers after doctoral degrees.

EXACTUS Steering Committee

• The EXACTUS Steering Committee consists of professors and doctoral researchers from various departments.
• The committee is responsible for overseeing the program and making decisions about grants and events.